Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How many people keep these they are great turtles just wondering. They are also called african helmeted turtles.

I keep and breed groups of both Pelomedusa s. subrufa and Pelomedusa s. olivacea. They certainly are under appreciated turtles that are overlooked because of their drab coloration. I do agree that they are wonderful turtles to work with and now with growing numbers showing up in the pet trade I think we'll see more people gaining interest in them.

How long have you been working with/keeping Pelomedusa?

I've kept them for 9 years as I literally just had to give them up for space & fiscal reasons on Feb. 8th 2008. I never bred them because I only had 2 males until 12/06 & the females would have been ready this spring. I miss them already. If something comes up to allow me to get them back I will.

Sorry to hear that you parted with them, though I hope things work out for you so that you can get them back or perhaps start with a new group.
I am curious that having males for that long how large they had grown for you as my largest male is around 20 cm SCL and still growing.

They grew about 4" since I had them. They were about 5" when acquired. The females actually showed the fastest growth rate growing about 2" in only the short time I had them. I gave them to a friend who is a vendor at local shows. He'll try to keep them for awhile but if I am not able to get them back he will sell them by May.