Podocnemis expansa

(Schweigger, 1812)

Vernacular names
English : Arrau river turtle
French : Podocnémyde tartaruga

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Podocnemididae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The largest south-American river turtle species, reaching a carapace length of 100 cm and a weight of 90 kg. Flattened shell. Coloration is olive-brown to dark grey. Head covered with dark brown plates.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in South America, in the Amazon river basin, from Colombia to Guianas, south to southern Brazil and Bolivia. Lives in freshwater rivers with sandy banks and sandbars.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CONSERVATION DEPENDENT
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species isn’t yet considered threatened but it is vulnerable to overcollection of eggs and destruction of its habitat, particularly breeding areas.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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