SIDE NECKED TURTLE

About the Side-Necked Turtle

Did you know? Many of our Rainforest Expeditions guests see this lazy turtle along jungle rivers!

As boats head steadily upstream toward our Refugio Amazonas Lodge, passengers often spot the charming Side-Necked Turtle. On lazy afternoons, the tropical sun glints off of the water, and not many moves, save the occasional group of butterflies on the shore. Yellow, white, and patterned, they seem to prefer some of the same spots as the turtles. In fact, some are even sitting on the turtles’ shells! The reptiles don’t seem to mind though and refuse to budge as butterflies sit on the tip of their noses.

These turtles only move when our Rainforest Expeditions boats get close. Jumping off logs and river rocks, they quickly sink beneath the surface and are hidden from view. You can’t blame them for being shy — they’re still recovering after humans hunted them for many years!

Most guests spot the Yellow-Spotted Side-Necked Turtle (Podocnemis unifilus) on the Tambopata River near our lodges. Check out our blog on the Side Necked Turtles of 200 years ago!

Yellow-Spotted Side-Necked Turtle Fun Facts

• A fitting name: This turtle species often have yellow spots on the head, and moves its head to the side, rather than straight back into its shell. It does this when predators threaten it.


• Long-lived: Like most turtle species, the Yellow-Spotted Side-Necked Turtle can live for several decades.


•  A vulnerable species: The IUCN Red List keeps track of animals in danger of extinction, or that appear to be headed in that direction. Despite the fact that many of our guests spot this lazy fellow, the turtle is “vulnerable,” one step away from being endangered! This is due to population declines in many other areas. As a result of humans over-harvesting its eggs and hunting adult turtles for food, this formerly abundant creature has disappeared from many areas.

How to see Side-Necked Turtles on an Amazon jungle tour in Peru:

• Visit protected areas: Since people along Amazon rivers often hunt the turtle for food, it’s much easier to find in protected areas. Much of the Tambopata River runs through a protected forest, making it easy to see the Side-Necked turtle.


• Watch the logs: On sunny days, this turtle species love to warm up by sitting on branches and logs that jut out of the river. They feel more protected in such spots because they can simply drop into the water if they feel threatened.


• Cruise the river with a trained guide: Visit the stunning Rainforest Expedition lodges in the Peruvian Amazon. One of our experienced guides will help you find them!