West African Black Forest Turtle

West African Black Forest Turtle known as Pelusios niger in the scientific community is one of the more colorful African species that increase in color up as they grow. These Turtles sport pretty orange head markings and their shells develop a complex pattern of sunbursts and dark spots with a black dorsal stripe at the yearling size.

West African Back Forest Turtles are very easy to keep and are quite friendly – quickly recognizing their keepers.

Pelusios niger inhabits lagoons as well as lakes and marshes of the Ivory Coast, Angola and Nigeria. In nature they love snails, mollusks and fish. Our West African Black Forest Turtles grow to strong adults on pellets and fish.

We recently joined a very small handful of US breeders who hatch this interesting African species.