Podocnemis vogli (Savanna Side-necked Turtle)

Podocnemis vogli, also known as the Savanna Side-necked Turtle, is a freshwater turtle native to South America. It’s one of the lesser-known species of the Podocnemis genus and is typically found in savanna-type ecosystems with slow-moving waters.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Testudines
• Family: Podocnemididae
• Genus: Podocnemis
• Species: Podocnemis vogli

Common Names

Savanna Side-necked Turtle
Vogl’s Side-necked Turtle

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Identification

Description
This turtle has an oval-shaped, slightly domed carapace that ranges from brown to olive. The plastron is pale yellow with darker seams. Its neck folds sideways under the shell, typical of side-necked turtles. The head is relatively small with dark eyes and pale markings on the face.

Sexual Dimorphism
Females are usually larger than males. Males have longer, thicker tails and a more concave plastron, which helps them during mating.

Check more turtles from the Podocnemis genus

Podocnemis unifilis (Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle)

Podocnemis sextuberculata (Six-tubercled Amazon River Turtle)

Podocnemis lewyana (Magdalena River Turtle)

Native Origin and Distribution

Geographical Range
Podocnemis vogli is found in Colombia and Venezuela, particularly in the Orinoco River basin and surrounding floodplain areas.

Preferred Habitat

It prefers slow-moving rivers, oxbow lakes, and floodplains in savanna or semi-arid regions. These turtles thrive in warm, shallow waters with muddy or sandy bottoms and plenty of aquatic vegetation.

Behavior

Feeding Habits
They are omnivorous, eating aquatic plants, fruits, insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Juveniles tend to eat more protein, while adults lean more toward a plant-based diet.

Predators
Natural predators include large birds, caimans, and mammals like raccoons. Eggs and hatchlings are especially vulnerable to predation.

Reproduction

Breeding Season
Breeding usually occurs during the dry season, followed by nesting as water levels begin to rise.

Reproductive Method
Females lay eggs in nests dug on sandy banks. A clutch typically contains 10–30 eggs. The incubation period depends on temperature and can last a few months.

Conservation

Extinction Status
Currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

Threats
Main threats include habitat loss from agriculture and development, pollution, and egg collection by humans.

Conservation Measures
Some local protections are in place, and a few reserves include parts of their habitat. Community education and enforcement of egg-harvesting bans are key measures being used.

Economic Importance

While not widely traded, locals may collect eggs or capture turtles for food. In some regions, it is used in traditional practices or sold in local markets.

Interesting Facts

The species is named after Father Cornelius Vogl, a missionary who helped early researchers.
They can stay underwater for long periods, especially during the dry season when they bury in the mud to survive low water levels.
Their sideways-folding neck is a unique adaptation shared by all turtles in the Podocnemididae family.

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.