Giant South American River Turtle
CR

Giant South American River Turtle

Podocnemis expansa

Unknown

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

The Arrau turtle, also known as the South American river turtle, giant South American turtle, giant Amazon River turtle, Arrau sideneck turtle, Amazon River turtle or simply the Arrau, is the largest of the side-neck turtles (Pleurodira) and the largest freshwater turtle in Latin America. The species primarily feeds on plant material and typically nests in large groups on beaches. Due to hunting of adults, collecting of their eggs, pollution, habitat loss, and dams, the Arrau turtle is seriously threatened.

The South American River Turtle faces severe population declines due to intensive exploitation for eggs and meat, which has devastated nesting populations across its range. Habitat destruction from dam construction, mining, and deforestation along river systems has further fragmented populations and degraded critical nesting beaches. Climate change and altered river flows compound these pressures by affecting nesting success and food availability.

Threat summary

Habitat

Large river systems throughout the Amazon and Orinoco basins, including main river channels, tributaries, oxbow lakes, and seasonal floodplains. Requires sandy beaches and riverbanks for communal nesting, particularly on islands and elevated shores that remain above flood levels.

FRESHWATER· majorFRESHWATER· major

Frequently asked questions

Why is Giant South American River Turtle classified as Critically Endangered?
Giant South American River Turtle 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. The South American River Turtle faces severe population declines due to intensive exploitation for eggs and meat, which has devastated nesting populations across its range. Habitat destruction from dam construction, mining, and deforestation along river systems has further fragmented populations and degraded critical nesting beaches. Climate change and altered river flows compound these pressures by affecting nesting success and food availability.
Where does Giant South American River Turtle live?
Giant South American River Turtle 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 Giant South American River Turtle?
The main threats to Giant South American River Turtle 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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