The family Pelomedusidae, commonly known as African side-necked turtles, belongs to the order Testudines. These freshwater turtles are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa and are characterized by their distinctive sideways-bending necks, which they tuck under the edge of their shells rather than pulling straight back. Pelomedusids are medium-sized turtles with relatively smooth, oval shells and strong limbs adapted for swimming and digging. They inhabit a variety of freshwater environments, including rivers, lakes, swamps, and temporary pools, and are largely omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. Many species are able to survive seasonal droughts by burrowing into the mud, and they play an important role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.