African softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis)

Short answers

African softshell turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

300×120 cm, for adults only a very large tank or a zoo.

African softshell turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–31 °C, basking spot No basking spot needed, at night 22–25 °C.

African softshell turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 6 %).

African softshell turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 40–70 years.

African softshell turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–31 °C

Night temperature

22–25 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot needed

Humidity

Aquatic

UVB

Essential (UVB 6 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

300×120 cm, for adults only a very large tank or a zoo

Substrate

Water 50–80 cm deep, fine sand, roots

Feeding

Food

Fish, crustaceans, snails, carrion

Feeding interval

2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

60–120 cm

Life expectancy

40–70 years

Origin

Africa (the Nile, West Africa), the eastern Mediterranean

Protection status

CITES II; the Mediterranean population is "Critically Endangered"

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. This species bites hard and uses that bite on its own kind too — bitten-off toes and tail tips, injured necks and damaged shell margins are the rule rather than the exception when they are kept together. With softshell turtles there is also the sensitive, leathery shell skin: even superficial scratches infect easily. For breeding, put them together only briefly and under supervision.

Notes

It reaches over a metre in shell length – keeping adults privately is practically out of the question. Very bitey and fast. Before buying a juvenile, plan realistically for the final size.

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Related species

• Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) – Intermediate
• Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) – Expert
• Smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica) – Expert
• Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) – Intermediate
• Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) – Expert
• Spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) – Expert
• Asiatic softshell turtle (Amyda cartilaginea) – Expert
• Wattle-necked softshell turtle (Palea steindachneri) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep African softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (300×120 cm, for adults only a very large tank or a zoo), substrate (Water 50–80 cm deep, fine sand, roots), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.