Did you know?
South American river turtles can grow up to 89 cm long and are one of the largest big headed Amazon river turtles. They live in the water and only come ashore for sunbathing or to lay eggs. The eggs are being laid into the ground and then left to themselves. The sex of the young is determined by the breeding temperature – above 31°C almost only females hatch and at lower temperatures predominantly males hatch. Status according to Red List: least concern
Characteristics
| Classification | Order chelonians, family big headed Amazon river turtles |
|---|---|
| Diet | Water plants, embankment vegetation, windfall and algea, seldom also animal food |
| Habitat | Lakes, pools, swampland, and flooded areas along the Amazon, the Orinoco and the Esequibo rivers |
| Reproduction | Eggs are laid in sandy river embankments several times a year; 61–172 eggs; incubation period: 60 days; maximum age: above 34 years |
Status according to Red List
More information you will get on the web page of the IUCN Red List.
