Pelusios cupulatta is typically found in riverine and wetland habitats mainly located in the southern Ivory Coast of West Africa.

The two different turtle species are also allopatric, meaning that they are related but occur in separate non-overlapping geographical areas compared to the sympatric of P. castaneus.

White P. castaneus intensely uses forested banks, P, and cupulatta aren't typically found in such areas as they aim for places with large amounts of aquatic vegetation.

Variation of Community Assembly rules of a whole turtle family (Pelomedusidae) from Continental to local scales in Africa.

Spatial niche expansion at multiple habitat scales of a tropical freshwater turtle in the absence of a potential competitor.