Podocnemis sextuberculata (Six-tubercled Amazon River Turtle)

Conservation Status:
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Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-tubercled_Amazon_River_turtle

Podocnemis sextuberculata, also known as the Six-tubercled Amazon River Turtle, is a freshwater turtle found mainly in the Amazon Basin. It’s named after the six bony projections on its shell, which help set it apart from other river turtles in the region.

Native To These Regions

Acre (Brazil), Amazonas (Brazil), Colombia, Pará (Brazil), Peru, Rondônia (Brazil), Roraima (Brazil)

Native Turtle Species Map – Find Turtles by Region

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Podocnemididae
Genus: Podocnemis
Species: P. sextuberculata

Common Names

Six-tubercled Amazon River Turtle
Six-tubercled River Turtle
Tartaruga-de-tabuleiro (in Portuguese)

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Identification

Description
This turtle has an oval, flattened carapace with six small tubercles or raised bumps near the front. The color ranges from grayish-brown to olive. Its plastron is pale yellow and less domed than some relatives. The head is blunt, with a dark top and lighter sides.

Sexual Dimorphism
Females are larger than males and have shorter tails. Males have longer, thicker tails and more curved claws, especially on the front limbs.

Check more turtles from the Podocnemis genus

Podocnemis vogli (Savanna Side-necked Turtle)

Podocnemis unifilis (Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle)

Podocnemis lewyana (Magdalena River Turtle)

Native Origin and Distribution

Geographical Range
Podocnemis sextuberculata is found in the Amazon and its tributaries, especially in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. Its range overlaps with several other Podocnemis species.

Preferred Habitat

It prefers calm, slow-moving waters like oxbow lakes, flooded forests, and quiet river margins. These turtles thrive in places with soft bottoms and rich aquatic vegetation.

Behavior

Feeding Habits
It is mostly herbivorous, eating aquatic plants, fruits, seeds, and algae. It may also eat small insects or snails if available.

Predators
Eggs and hatchlings are eaten by birds, fish, and mammals. Adults face fewer threats but can be hunted by humans and large carnivores.

Reproduction

Breeding Season
Mating usually occurs during the rainy season. Nesting happens when water levels drop, often from August to November depending on the region.

Reproductive Method
Females lay clutches of up to 20 eggs on sandy riverbanks. The eggs incubate for several weeks, and hatchlings emerge when conditions are right, often with help from rain-softened soil.

Conservation

Extinction Status
Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Threats
Main threats include habitat destruction, illegal hunting, egg collection, and water pollution. Human settlements and agriculture put pressure on nesting areas.

Conservation Measures
Protected areas have been established in some parts of its range. Conservation groups are working to reduce egg harvesting and educate local communities. Captive breeding and release programs have also started in some areas.

Economic Importance

This species is sometimes hunted for meat and eggs, especially in rural communities. While this has traditional value, it also contributes to its decline. It has limited importance in the pet trade due to its size and protected status.

Interesting Facts

The six tubercles on the carapace are unique and help identify the species quickly.
It plays an important role in seed dispersal in flooded forests.
In some areas, it nests in groups, which is unusual for most turtles.

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.