Nubian flapshell turtle facts for kids
The Nubian flapshell turtle is a special kind of softshell turtle. It's also called the Nubian soft-shelled turtle. Its scientific name is Cyclanorbis elegans. This turtle belongs to a family called Trionychidae. It's one of only two species in its group, Cyclanorbis.
Quick facts for kids Nubian flapshell turtle |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cyclanorbis
|
| Species: |
elegans
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Long ago, these turtles lived across a large area. This area stretched from West Africa all the way to South Sudan in Central Africa. Sadly, they have disappeared from most of these places.
Contents
Where Do Nubian Flapshell Turtles Live?
Historically, the Nubian flapshell turtle was found in many countries. These included Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, and Togo.
However, in the last 50 years, very few have been seen. People have little hope that they still exist in West Africa.
Recent Discoveries
In 2017, a small group of these turtles was found. They were living in the White Nile wetlands in South Sudan. Professor Luca Luiselli and his team made this exciting discovery. They shared their findings in a paper in 2019.
Then, in 2021, another group was found. This time, they were along the White Nile wetlands in northern Uganda. This area is close to the border with South Sudan. It was the first time this turtle was recorded in Uganda.
What Does a Nubian Flapshell Turtle Look Like?
The Nubian flapshell turtle can grow quite large. It can reach a length of up to 70 centimeters (about 27.5 inches). That's almost as long as a baseball bat!
Protecting Nubian Flapshell Turtles
The places where Nubian flapshell turtles live face many challenges. These challenges often lead to their homes being destroyed.
Threats to Survival
One big problem is that these turtles are hunted. They are caught for food, sometimes called "bushmeat." Also, some people from China living in the area pay a lot of money for these turtles. They use them for food and sometimes for religious reasons.
Some turtles might even be sent to Asia for the food market there.
Local Knowledge for Conservation
Interestingly, local fishermen, especially the Bari people, know a lot about these turtles. They understand their life cycle and where they lay their eggs. This knowledge could be very helpful in protecting the Nubian flapshell turtle. It could help conservationists find and protect their nesting grounds.
