Yellow-spotted river turtle

These turtles have a dark shells with yellow markings, giving them their name

Haplochromis

These turtles have a dark shells with yellow markings, giving them their name

Population

It is one of the more prominent turtle species found in the waterways of South America. The females of this species are notably larger than the males, a characteristic known as sexual dimorphism, which is quite pronounced in these turtles. This size difference affects their nesting behavior, as larger females can lay more eggs.

Their habitat preferences include the tranquil waters of oxbow lakes, slow-moving rivers, and ponds, where they are often observed basking on logs or riverbanks to thermoregulate. Basking is critical for their metabolism and helps them synthesize vitamin D, which is essential for healthy shell development.

The yellow-spotted river turtle is estimated to live for about 30 years in the wild, although this can vary based on environmental conditions and threats. They are diurnal, spending the daylight hours foraging for food, basking, and occasionally engaging in social behaviors.

As omnivores, their diet is diverse, including fruits that fall into the water, contributing to seed dispersal for various plant species. They also consume aquatic vegetation, mollusks, and small fish, playing a role in controlling populations of these organisms and maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

One distinguishing characteristic of yellow-spotted river turtles is that they are side-necked turtles, meaning they cannot retract their heads straight back into their shells like other turtles. Instead, they bend their necks sideways into their shell for protection. This trait is common among several turtle species found in the southern hemisphere.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Bolivia
1996
Brazil
1996
Colombia
1996
Ecuador
1996
French Guiana
1996
Guyana
1996
Peru
1996
Suriname
1996
Venezuela
1996

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No