Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis Unifilis)
Conservation status
IUCN: Red List: Vulnerable
Key Descriptions
A South American species characterized by the radiant yellow spots it adorns on its head, the Yellow Spotted Amazon turtle is one of the largest South American river turtles. The yellow spots are most prominent in juvenile specimens, with females eventually losing the distinct markings as they age. Males on the other hand retain these spots long into adult -hood.
Native to the Amazon River basin of South America, Yellow spotted River turtles are predominantly found throughout tributaries & lakes with slow moving current. Their range spreads from the Amazon & Orinoco river systems in Venezuela, eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, north-eastern
Habitat
Native to the Amazon River basin of South America, Yellow spotted River turtles are predominantly found throughout tributaries & lakes with slow moving current. Their range spreads from the Amazon & Orinoco river systems in Venezuela, eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, north-eastern Peru, Brazil & northern Bolivia.
Social Life
They prefer to be alone. Males will chase females extensively during the breeding season, nibbling at their feet & tail in an attempt to court them. A diurnal species, these reptiles typically bask in the early mornings & forage for food in the early part of the afternoons. When basking, they are typically observed along the calm waters of lakes and streams where the current is not too strong.
Fun Facts
- The turtles are diurnal, meaning they are most active in mid-morning and afternoon.
- Podocnemis unifilis is a type of side-necked turtles, so called because they do not pull their heads directly into their shells, but rather bend their necks sideways to tuck their heads under the rim of their shells
- The females lay two clutches of eggs each year, each with four to 35 eggs in it. They make their nests in sandy areas on the banks of rivers, where the eggs will hatch 66 to 159 days after they are laid. The eggs are laid at the peak of dry season so the nest will not be washed away with the floods of the rainy season. Eggs incubated below 32 degrees Celsius will hatch as males, while those incubated above 32 degrees Celsius will hatch as females
- These species are cold-blooded reptiles, with the barbel on the chin providing touch sensory.
Diet
Plants, Fish & other small aquatic animals
Key Information
| Origin: | S.America |
| Size: | Up to 70cm |
| Weight: | Up to 8kg |
| Lifespan: | Up to 70years |