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Large turtle with a smooth oval shell, wide flippers, and an extended neck.

Giant river turtle

Podocnemis expansa
Where at Shedd?
Amazon Rising
Diet Fruit and plant matter
Size Female shell length: Up to 32 inches (81 cm) Male shell length: Up to 20 inches (50 cm)
Type Reptiles
Range Rivers, tributaries, lagoons, ponds and flooded forests in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in Northern South America
Habitat Large rivers and tributaries, adjacent lagoons and flooded forests; semi-aquatic

Did you know?

  1. Giant river turtles may fast during low-water season. Turtle stomachs examined during that time are often empty or contain only sand and unidentifiable slime.

IUCN Red List Conservation Status