VU

Podocnemis sextuberculata

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The six-tubercled Amazon river turtle faces severe pressure from overexploitation for its meat and eggs, which are highly valued in local markets throughout the Amazon basin. Habitat degradation from deforestation, mining activities, and dam construction along major river systems has reduced suitable nesting beaches and altered water flow patterns critical for reproduction. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns that affect river levels and nesting site availability.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits slow-moving rivers, oxbow lakes, and flooded forests throughout the Amazon basin, particularly favoring areas with sandy beaches suitable for nesting. It requires both aquatic environments for feeding and terrestrial nesting sites along riverbanks during the dry season.

FRESHWATER· major

Conservation measures underway

Legislation

Other threatened species in PODOCNEMIDIDAE

VU

Peltocephalus dumerilianus

Unknown
Madagascar Big-headed TurtleCR

Madagascar Big-headed Turtle

Erymnochelys madagascariensis

Declining
VU

Podocnemis erythrocephala

Unknown
Podocnemis unifilisVU

Podocnemis unifilis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Podocnemis sextuberculata classified as Vulnerable?
Podocnemis sextuberculata is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The six-tubercled Amazon river turtle faces severe pressure from overexploitation for its meat and eggs, which are highly valued in local markets throughout the Amazon basin. Habitat degradation from deforestation, mining activities, and dam construction along major river systems has reduced suitable nesting beaches and altered water flow patterns critical for reproduction. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns that affect river levels and nesting site availability.
Where does Podocnemis sextuberculata live?
Podocnemis sextuberculata 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 Podocnemis sextuberculata?
The main threats to Podocnemis sextuberculata 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.