Savannah Side-necked Turtle
Savannah Side-necked Turtle (Podocnemis vogli) released after being found by fishermen in the river.
CITES II due to habitat loss mainly near urban areas and over hunting especially in the Llanos.
Orinoco River, 110 Km north of Puerto Ayacucho. Apure Province, VENEZUELA. South America.
L average 23-36cm, Wgt 2kg. Females larger than males. They dig shallow nests in sandy soil, often far from nearest water source. 7-13 eliptical eggs 40x25mm in size.
They are diurnal spending sunny morning out on logs and nights in the water semi submerged in mud. They are omnivorous, consuming seeds, leaves, aquatic plants, fish, insects & suspended material in water.
HABITAT: Lagoons, swamps, Moriche palm swamps, generally not preferring larger rivers.
RANGE: Llanos & Orinoco of Colombia, Venezuela.
