
Yellow Spotted Sideneck Turtle


Eats
Omnivorous, meaning they eat fruits, leaves, fish, mollusks, and carrion (dead animals).
Lives
Found in South America's Amazon River, they are an aquatic turtle, spending most of their time in the water. They will use the Amazon River, it's tributaries, and flooded forests as their main habitat.
Behavior
Diurnal and social, mainly finding others while basking and during mating season.
Description
Large turtles with dark shells and yellow spots on their heads are easy to identify. Females can grow up to 18 inches long, twice the size of males. They tuck their heads sideways into their shells for protection.
Did you Know?
Both males and females have the yellow spots on their heads when they hatch, but they fade as they age. Males retain some of the coloration, but females completely lose theirs.
How can I Help?
To help the Yellow-Spotted Side-Neck Turtle, you can take a few simple steps! First, support conservation efforts by protecting their natural habitats and reducing pollution in rivers and ponds. Avoid buying pets from the wild, as this can harm their populations. If you see one in the wild, give it space and don’t disturb its home. Finally, educate others about these amazing turtles and why they need our help. Together, we can make a difference for the Yellow-Spotted Side-Neck Turtle!


