Full Grown African Sideneck Turtle Guide

The African sideneck turtle is a fascinating aquatic reptile. In this extensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about these turtles once they reach full adulthood.

About the African Sideneck Turtle

Scientific name: Pelusios subniger

The African sideneck turtle is a species of shelled turtle native to sub-Saharan Africa. It inhabits freshwater habitats like lakes, rivers, streams and marshes. As juveniles, they are small with darker coloring. Once fully matured, their shells can grow quite large.

Size at Full Growth

At full size, African sideneck turtles have quite impressive dimensions:

• Length: 12-15 inches (shell only)
• Height: 4-6 inches
• Weight: 2-4 lbs

They are considered fully grown anywhere from 12-15 years of age once they reach their maximum dimensions.

Appearance at Full Growth

Visually, the full grown African sideneck turtle has quite a different appearance than juveniles:

• Larger, more oblong carapace that is olive, brown or black in color
• Yellow plastron with some black markings
• Long muscular neck and legs
• Powerful jaws and claws suited for their adult diet
• Distinctive yellow iris in their eyes

Personality at Full Growth

As adults, their personalities change somewhat from juveniles:

• More territorial of their space
• Less likely to be handled by humans regularly
• More confident swimmers and baskers in sunlight
• Still affectionate toward owners they know well
• May be skittish of strangers due to size/maturity

Price

Mature African sideneck turtles typically command a higher price than juveniles, sometimes several hundred dollars depending on availability and demand. Well-bred specimens from reputable breeders will be most expensive.

Food/Feeding

At full size, their dietary needs shift substantially from when young:

• Carnivorous diet of whole fish, shrimp, feeder fish, earthworms
• May also eat pinky mice or small chunks of lean red meat
• Should be fed 2-3 times per week as adults
• Greens can be included occasionally as a supplement
• May start to refuse veggies once sexually mature

Lifespan

When cared for properly, African sideneck turtles have quite a long natural lifespan:

• Average lifespan 15-20 years
• Can potentially live 25+ years
• Oldest on record was over 30 years old

Health at Full Growth

As adults, their health considerations differ as well:

• More susceptible to shell/skin infections without proper humidity
• May develop arthritis or joint issues in older age
• Prone to obesity without proper diet and exercise
• Watch for symptoms of reproductive issues like egg binding

Care and Nutritional Needs

The care requirements for a fully grown African sideneck turtle include:

• Large aquarium or pond - at least 75 gallons for one adult
• Adequate basking area and UVA/UVB lighting
• Stable water conditions with filtration
• Humidity of 50-80%
• Hiding spots, clutter and plants for security
• D3 and calcium supplements in diet as needed
• Soakings and handling as seldomly as possible

Costing

Long term ownership and care of a fully mature African sideneck turtle involves ongoing costs such as:

• Protein-rich feeder foods: $30-50 per month depending on size/appetite
• Large aquarium setup and equipment: $300-500+ initially
• Yearly vet checkups: $50-100 as needed
• Heat/light bulbs: $10-20 every 6-12 months
• Substrate, decor and filter replacements: $30-50 every 6 months

Possible Behavioral Changes

Some turtles develop different behaviors once sexually mature:

• Males may become more aggressive/territorial towards other turtles
• Females ready to breed will display signs like basking more often
• Both sexes keen to find a mate and breed if conditions are optimal
• Loud barks/clicks from males attempting to woo females

Notable Characteristics

Traits that truly define a fully grown African sideneck turtle:

• Large size, powerful jaws and claws for hunting prey
• Thick scaly skin and armored carapace/plastron shell
• Ability to live 3+ decades when properly cared for
• Distinct yellow pattern/trim around their eyes
• Expert swimmers that surface to bask and thermoregulate

When is it Really Fully Grown?

Most experts consider African sideneck turtles to reach sexual maturity anywhere from 12-15 years old.

However, their growth plates may not fuse completely until closer to 18-20 years. At this point, their body size/dimensions will remain stable for the rest of their lifespan.

Suitability as a Pet

While fascinating creatures, mature African sideneck turtles have some drawbacks as pets:

• Require a very large aquarium that few homes can accommodate
• Less tolerant of handling as adults and can bite/scratch defensively
• Long commitment of 15+ years for a pet that lives 3+ decades
• May be illegal to privately own certain species in some areas
• High maintenance needs and costs for such a large aquatic turtle

For most families and environments, they are better appreciated in wildlife settings versus private ownership beyond juveniles.

Conclusion

We hope this comprehensive guide has equipped you with valuable insights into African sideneck turtles once they reach full adulthood. Their striking appearance, personalities and longevity make them a truly unique species to observe in nature.