Species Data
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Chelidae
Scientific Name: Hydromedusa maximiliani
IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable
IUCN Species Range Map
Description
Brazilian Snake-necked turtles are one of the smallest species of freshwater turtle, with a long, snake-like neck protruding form a flat, grey or brown shell. The head and neck often show paler markings.
Behaviour
This turtle is endemic to south-eastern Brazil. As a resident of cold water upland streams, it is reliant on gaps in forest cover for basking.
Main image credit: Josh Henderson/flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).
Habitat
Freshwater rivers and streams with sandy or gravel bottoms, in areas of mountainous Atlantic forest.
Threats and Conservation
Loss of its Atlantic rainforest habitat through commercia logging and to make way for agricultural and urban expansion is the major factor driving declines. In addition, water pollution is a significant problem. Outside of protected areas, Brazilian Snake-necked turtles are extremely fragmented and vulnerable.
