Ecology
The coloration and shape of the carapace, head, and feet help conceal this species of turtle from Amazon predator species. Naturally, twist-necked individuals prefer amphibian eggs and consume various insects, mollusks (snails and slugs), amphibians, and some plant life through terrestrial and aquatic foraging. In captivity, specimens can flourish on reptile food, veggies, insects, worms and even fish. Platemys platycephala are likely to be found in shallow pools and can inhabit dry areas for long periods of time. Fretey (1975) states several individuals can even become heavily parasitized by leeches (81 suckers found on one turtle) during the dormant dry season and suffer accordingly.
Read more about this topic: Twist-necked Turtle
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