This species of turtle is called a side-neck because it cannot pull its head into its shell. Instead, when threatened, the turtle tucks its head to the side. Juveniles and adult males have a red head, but adult females tend to have brown heads. This species has reproduced at the Tennessee Aquarium. Hunted for its meat and eggs, it is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
Range
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
Habitat
Blackwater rivers and streams
Diet
Aquatic plants and fallen fruits
