Serrated Hinged Terrapin

Pelusios sinuatus

Silhouette: Day & Haghe · PhyloPic

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassTestudines
FamilyPelomedusidae (African Mud Turtles)
GenusPelusios (Hinged Terrapins)
SpeciesPelusios sinuatus (Serrated Hinged Terrapin)

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

at South Luangwa National Park

1 Verified sightings at South Luangwa National Park From 2019 to 2026

794 Verified sightings across all 19 parks From 2019 to 2026

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Serrated Hinged Terrapin

The serrated hinged terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus) is a species of turtle in the family Pelomedusidae. The species is native to East Africa and Southern Africa. There are two recognised subspecies. P. sinuatus is found in Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The preferred natural habitats of P. sinuatus are tropical lakes and rivers, where it can often be seen basking on logs, rocks, or mud banks, or even on the backs of sleeping hippopotami. P. sinuatus eats water snails, soft-weed, and insects.

The largest species in the genus Pelusios, P. sinuatus has a straight carapace length of up to 55 cm (22 in). Females are larger than males. Males can also be distinguished by their slightly longer tails. For defence, the hinged plastron of P. sinuatus closes to protect the head and forelimbs. The serrated hinged terrapin also secretes a foul odour when threatened.

The female serrated hinged terrapin lays seven to 25 eggs, up to 500 m (1,600 ft) from the nearest water... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at South Luangwa National Park

Pelusios rhodesianus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Gonarezhou National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	~40%
2	Kruger National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~40%
3	Pilanesberg National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~30%
4	Liwonde National Park	🇲🇼 Malawi	~30%
5	Kafue National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	~20%
6	Nairobi National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~20%
7	Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
8	Meru National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
9	Ruaha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
10	Mana Pools National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	Insufficient data
11	Hwange National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	Insufficient data
12	Lower Zambezi National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	Insufficient data
13	Mikumi National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
14	Lake Manyara National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
15	Samburu National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
16	South Luangwa National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	Insufficient data
17	Tsavo West National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
18	Tsavo East National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data
19	iSimangaliso Wetland Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data

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