Phrynops geoffroanus (Geoffroy’s Side-necked Turtle)
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Phrynops geoffroanus, or Geoffroy’s Side-necked Turtle, is a freshwater turtle found widely across South America. It belongs to the Chelidae family and is known for its unique way of bending its neck sideways under the shell instead of pulling it straight in.
Native To These Regions
Amazonas (Brazil), Bahia (Brazil), Ceará (Brazil), Goiás (Brazil), Maranhão (Brazil), Mato Grosso (Brazil), Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil), Minas Gerais (Brazil), Pará (Brazil), Paraná (Brazil), Pernambuco (Brazil), Piauí (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), Rondônia (Brazil), Santa Catarina (Brazil), São Paulo (Brazil), Tocantins (Brazil)Native Turtle Species Map – Find Turtles by Region
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Chelidae
Genus: Phrynops
Species: Phrynops geoffroanus
Common Names
Geoffroy’s Side-necked Turtle
South American Side-necked Turtle
Geoffroy’s Toadhead Turtle
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Identification
Description
This turtle has a broad, flat head and a long neck that folds sideways under the shell. Its carapace is olive to dark brown, sometimes with lighter markings. The plastron is lighter, often yellowish or cream-colored with dark edges. Adults typically grow up to 35 cm (14 inches) in length.
Sexual Dimorphism
Males are usually smaller than females but have longer and thicker tails. Males also have a slightly concave plastron to aid in mating.
Check more turtles from the Phrynops genus
Native Origin and Distribution
Geographical Range
Phrynops geoffroanus is native to northern and central South America. It ranges from Venezuela and Colombia down to northern Argentina and Brazil. It is commonly found in major river basins such as the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraná.
Preferred Habitat
This species prefers slow-moving or still freshwater bodies like rivers, ponds, marshes, and lagoons. It often lives in areas with soft bottoms and plenty of vegetation. It can adapt to human-made environments like canals and reservoirs.
Behavior
Feeding Habits
It is mainly carnivorous, feeding on fish, insects, amphibians, carrion, and aquatic invertebrates. It may also eat some plant matter occasionally.
Predators
Eggs and hatchlings are vulnerable to birds, mammals, and fish. Adults have fewer predators but can be attacked by large carnivores and humans.
Reproduction
Breeding Season
Breeding usually occurs during the rainy season when water levels are higher, which helps in nesting and hatchling survival.
Reproductive Method
Females lay eggs in nests dug in sandy or soft soil near water. A clutch can have 10 to 25 eggs. The incubation lasts around 90–120 days depending on temperature.
Conservation
Extinction Status
Not currently endangered. Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Threats
Habitat loss, water pollution, hunting, and capture for the pet trade are the main threats.
Conservation Measures
Some protected areas support populations. Environmental regulations and awareness efforts help reduce habitat destruction and illegal trade.
Economic Importance
In some areas, locals collect these turtles for food or the pet market. They may also help control pest populations by eating insects and small animals in the water.
Interesting Facts
This species can stay underwater for a long time due to its ability to absorb oxygen through the lining of its throat.
It gets its name from Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, a French naturalist.
It’s part of the “side-necked” turtle group, which is found only in the Southern Hemisphere.
About Author
Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.
