Arrau Turtle (Giant South American River Turtle)

Overview

The largest side-necked turtle in the world and one of the largest freshwater turtles, with a broad, flattened, dark shell and a large head. It is highly gregarious, and females gather in enormous numbers for mass nesting on sandbanks ('arribadas'). Purely herbivorous, it plays a key role in seed dispersal. Historic egg harvesting has drastically reduced populations.

Classification

The Arrau Turtle (Giant South American River Turtle) belongs to the suborder Pleurodira (side-neck turtles) and the family Podocnemididae. It is a family of large South American side-neck river turtles, the only pleurodires native to the Americas. Its scientific name is Podocnemis expansa.

Appearance & Distinguishing Features

They have broad, smooth shells and robust limbs, with the giant South American river turtle among the largest freshwater turtles in the world.

Habitat & Distribution

They inhabit the major river basins of South America — especially the Amazon and Orinoco — in rivers, floodplains, and lakes.

Diet & Feeding

Most are omnivorous or herbivorous as adults, taking fruits, seeds, and aquatic vegetation along with some animal matter.

Behavior & Conservation

Females gather in large nesting aggregations on sandy riverbanks, a behaviour long targeted by harvesters. Several species are listed under CITES and are conservation priorities.

Popularity & Recognition

The giant river turtle is a cultural and ecological keystone of the Amazon, central to both local tradition and conservation efforts.