Photo Credit: Dubia.com
African Side-Necked Turtle Care Guide
Pelomedusa subrufa
African side-necked turtles are popular semi-aquatic freshwater turtles native to sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Unlike other turtles, they cannot retract their head straight back into their shell — instead they fold the head and neck sideways and tuck in. They are typically docile with regular gentle handling, though they can bite if threatened. They also possess Rathke’s glands, from which they can release a foul-smelling fluid to deter predators. Many recognize their keepers and have great personalities. African side-necked turtles can live 25–50+ years as pets.
Enclosure
Adults require an aquarium or pond with a minimum of 75–100 gallons. The setup should be escape-proof and predator-proof to prevent accidental injuries.
Water should ideally be filtered with a 25% water change performed weekly. Use a water conditioner and a canister filter rated for twice the tank size (e.g., a filter rated for 100 gallons in a 50-gallon tank) — aquatic turtles produce a large amount of waste. Remove uneaten food and feces daily.
Maintain water temperature at 75–82°F. A submersible heater designed for tropical fish tanks works well for smaller turtles, as do waterproof heat pads placed beneath the tank. Monitor water temperature daily with a submersible thermometer.
A basking platform above the water line is essential. It should allow the turtle to easily climb out of the water or hang on the edge and float at the surface. Cork bark, floating wood, sturdily stacked rocks, and commercial floating platforms are all good options. Ensure the turtle cannot climb from the platform and fall out of the enclosure. Adult female turtles will need an area with deep substrate suitable for nesting during breeding season.
Suitable substrate options include fine sand or large smooth river rocks larger than the turtle’s head to prevent accidental ingestion. A bare-bottom setup is also acceptable. Small gravel and pebbles pose an ingestion hazard and should not be used.
Outdoor ponds should be predator-proofed and provide ample shade and basking opportunities.
Temperature
- Basking area: 90–95°F
- Ambient air temperature: 80–85°F
- Water temperature: 75–82°F
Maintain these temperatures using a submersible aquarium heater and a basking bulb or ceramic heat emitter suspended securely above the basking platform. Monitor with digital thermometers in both the water and land sections of the enclosure.
Lighting
Indoor turtles require full-spectrum UVB lighting for proper calcium absorption and photoperiod regulation, provided for 10–12 hours per day. Use a commercially available fluorescent or mercury vapor reptile UVB bulb suspended above the basking platform. Follow manufacturer instructions for placement — most require the animal to be within 12–18″ of the bulb. UVB must not be obstructed by glass or other objects. Higher-output bulbs such as the Reptisun 10.0 or Arcadia Reptile Pro Desert 12% are recommended. Replace bulbs every 6–12 months — they stop producing UVB long before they stop emitting visible light. A Solarmeter can be used to verify UVB output.
Outdoor pond turtles receive all the UVB they need from the sun. Always provide both areas of direct sunlight and shade.
Humidity
The water section helps maintain ambient humidity, but measure the humidity of the land/basking section with a hygrometer — it should range from 50–75%.
Diet
African side-necked turtles are omnivores. Hatchlings and juveniles consume more animal protein; adults eat more plant matter as they age.
- Hatchlings and juveniles: feed daily
- Adults: feed every 2–3 days (adults in outdoor ponds may supplement naturally and are prone to obesity)
A high-quality commercial aquatic turtle pellet or stick diet appropriate to the turtle’s life stage (hatchling, growth, or adult/maintenance) should form the foundation of the diet. Supplement with high-quality live foods (feeder insects and fish, earthworms, bloodworms, blackworms) and small amounts of chopped leafy greens. Fruit should be offered sparingly and only in small quantities to prevent digestive upset.
When feeding greens, vegetables, and live foods, dust with a calcium carbonate powder and a multivitamin (we recommend ZooMed’s Reptivite) 1–2 times weekly. Additional supplementation is not needed when the turtle is consuming a formulated aquatic turtle pellet.
Wellness & Preventive Care
We recommend an annual fecal exam and wellness checkup. We may also request a water sample from your pond or aquarium for water quality evaluation. Seek veterinary care promptly if your turtle is:
- Lethargic or not eating or growing well
- Showing nasal discharge, bubbling, or difficulty breathing
- Has puffy or discharging eyes
- Has a soft shell or mobility issues
- Floating excessively or unable to submerge
- Spending excessive time basking without swimming
- Has been attacked by another animal
