Twist-necked Turtle

The Twist-necked turtle, Platemys platycephala, also known as the flat-headed turtle is distributed widely across northern South America. Twist-necked turtles have extremely flat shells that help them hide from predators under rocks and debris. When threatened, this turtle withdraws by twisting its head into its shell. Platemys platycephala or the twist-necked turtle is the only species of the genus Platemys and occurs in northern and central South America. Platemys platycephala means “flat turtle, flat-head” and accurately describes the structure of the head and shell. This species inhabits shallow creek beds and frequently forages on the floor of the Amazon rainforest for insects, amphibians, and mollusks. Camouflage, head and body shape, and advanced sexual anatomy allow this species of turtle to effectively populate much of South America. Mating occurs during rainy months (March–December) and egg deposit occurs during dry months (January–March). Males have been known to behave aggressively towards females during copulation by squirting water from nostrils and biting. A few genomic studies show mosaicism exists among populations of the twist-necked turtle in Surinam- a country in northern South America. In other words, diploid and triploid levels exist within and among individuals at this particular location. No threats have been reported for this species and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) does not have a current listing. Lack of consumption due to the species' small size and inability to reproduce in captivity help explain why scientists are not concerned about this turtle species.