African softshell turtle
The African softshell turtle or Nile softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis) is a large species of turtle from fresh-water and brackish habitats in Africa (larger parts of East, West and Middle Africa) and the Near East (Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey).[1] It is the only extant species from the genus Trionyx, but in the past many other softshell turtles were placed in this genus; they have now been moved to various other genera.[1] Despite the name "African softshell turtle", it is not the only species or genus of softshell turtle in Africa (the genera Cyclanorbis and Cycloderma are also African).[1] It is a very large species of softshell turtle, with sizes that range from 85 to 94cm, a weight of 40kg, and an unconfirmed max size of 120cm. They are omnivores in diet, consuming small Fish, Crustacean, and also palm Seed, and fallen Leaf.
African softshell turtle | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Cryptodira |
Family: | Trionychidae |
Genus: | Trionyx |
Species: | T. triunguis |
Binomial name | |
Trionyx triunguis | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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References
- Rhodin, Anders G. J.; Peter Paul van Dijk, John B. Inverson & Bradley H. Shaffer (December 14, 2010). "Turtles of the World 2010 Update: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution and Conservation Status" (PDF). p. 000.128. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 15, 2010. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- Fritz, Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 322–323. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
External links
Data related to Trionyx triunguis at Wikispecies Media related to Trionyx triunguis at Wikimedia Commons