Podocnemis

The genus Podocnemis belongs to the suborder Pleurodira, commonly known as side-necked turtles. These turtles are characterized by their unique defensive posture of retracting their head and neck to the side, rather than directly into the shell.1

Podocnemis turtles are primarily found in South America and are aquatic or semiaquatic. They are predominantly omnivorous, though their diet can include both plant and animal matter. Species within this genus exhibit a range of shell shapes and sizes, with some, like the Arrau turtle (Podocnemis expansa), reaching over 90 cm (35 inches) in length.1