Mesoclemmys dahli
CR

Mesoclemmys dahli

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahl's_toad-headed_turtle

Overview

Dahl's toad-headed turtle is a medium-sized species of side-necked turtle in the family Chelidae. This critically endangered freshwater turtle is endemic to northern Colombia, where it lives in small pools, streams, and swamps, but aestivates on land.

Mesoclemmys dahli faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development throughout its limited range in northern Colombia. The species is heavily exploited for local consumption and the pet trade, with adults frequently collected from remaining wetland areas. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities further degrades the aquatic environments essential for this turtle's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This freshwater turtle inhabits shallow wetlands, marshes, and slow-moving streams in the Caribbean coastal lowlands of northern Colombia. It prefers areas with dense aquatic vegetation and muddy substrates that provide both foraging opportunities and nesting sites.

Other threatened species in CHELIDAE

Ranacephala hogeiCR

Ranacephala hogei

Declining
VU

White-bellied Snapping Turtle

Elseya branderhorsti

Unknown
VU

Rheodytes leukops

Unknown
CR

Pseudemydura umbrina

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Mesoclemmys dahli classified as Critically Endangered?
Mesoclemmys dahli is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Mesoclemmys dahli faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development throughout its limited range in northern Colombia. The species is heavily exploited for local consumption and the pet trade, with adults frequently collected from remaining wetland areas. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities further degrades the aquatic environments essential for this turtle's survival.
Where does Mesoclemmys dahli live?
Mesoclemmys dahli occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Mesoclemmys dahli?
The main threats to Mesoclemmys dahli are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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