Description
Platemys platycephala is a medium-sized turtle ranging from 14–18 cm in shell length. Females are slightly smaller on average with shorter tails. The carapace (top portion of the shell) is elliptical and flattened with two raised portions (keels) forming a trough (depression). The carapace is orange to yellow-brown and black in various amounts depending on subspecies. The plastron (lower portion of the shell) is dark brown or black in color while the bridge (side portion of the shell) is yellow with a black bar across. The consistency of these bars also depends on subspecies. Face and neck patterns consist of orange or yellow-brown dorsal stripes and black ventral and lateral stripes. The head is small, triangular, smooth, and undivided. The neck has some conical tubercles- rounded projection and scales that protect against predator attack. Platemys platycephala is a member of Pleurodira- a suborder of turtle. These turtles withdraw their head into their shell by bending their necks sideways instead of straight back like Cryptodira. The snout projects slightly and the irises are brown. Black limbs consist of large anterior scales while the tail is short and black. Intermediate webbing exists on both anterior and posterior limbs because this turtle moves in water and on land.
Read more about this topic: Twist-necked Turtle
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