Yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle
Latin Name
Podocnemis unifilis
Class
Reptiles
Order
Testudinata
Description
Podocnemis unifilis
Class
Reptiles
Order
Testudinata
Description
One of the largest South American river turtles, this species can be recognized by its dark upper shell and the yellow spots that adorn its head, though these fade with age. Females can be twice as large as males.
Range
Status
Habitat
Niche
Life History
Special Adaptations
As their name implies, these turtles inhabit South America's Amazon River.
Status
The yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle is listed as vulnerable.
Habitat
They occupy tributaries and lakes connected to the Amazon River, though when the river floods, they will branch out to flooded forests.
Niche
These turtles eat a range of foods, from fruit and plant materials to fish and small invertebrates.
Life History
Females lay two clutches each year, each with as many as three dozen eggs, which are deposited in nests dug into sandy riverbanks. Hatchlings take to the river just like their parents. These turtles can live 70 years.
Special Adaptations
Yellow-spotted Amazon river turtles are considered side-necked turtles, based on the fact that they cannot pull their heads into their shells, rather craning them to the side to protect themselves in the event of attack from predators.
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