Six-tubercled Amazon River Turtle
A medium-to-large side-necked turtle named for the six low tubercles on its carapace, with a dark shell and a broad head.
Overview
A medium-to-large side-necked turtle named for the six low tubercles on its carapace, with a dark shell and a broad head. It is largely herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants and fruit. It is harvested for food across the Amazon and is poorly studied.
Classification
The Six-tubercled Amazon River Turtle belongs to the suborder Pleurodira (side-neck turtles) and the family Podocnemididae. It is a family of large South American side-neck river turtles, the only pleurodires native to the Americas. Its scientific name is Podocnemis sextuberculata.
Appearance & Distinguishing Features
They have broad, smooth shells and robust limbs, with the giant South American river turtle among the largest freshwater turtles in the world.
Habitat & Distribution
They inhabit the major river basins of South America — especially the Amazon and Orinoco — in rivers, floodplains, and lakes.
Diet & Feeding
Most are omnivorous or herbivorous as adults, taking fruits, seeds, and aquatic vegetation along with some animal matter.
Behavior & Conservation
Females gather in large nesting aggregations on sandy riverbanks, a behaviour long targeted by harvesters. Several species are listed under CITES and are conservation priorities.
Popularity & Recognition
The giant river turtle is a cultural and ecological keystone of the Amazon, central to both local tradition and conservation efforts.
