Acanthochelys spixii
(Duméril & Bibron, 1835)
Black Spine-Necked Swamp Turtle
The black spine necked swamp turtle Acanthochelys spixii (former Platemys spixii) is distributed in eastern Southamerica. There it is found west as an isolated population in Corrientes provinceof the Rio Parana basin of Argentinia. The main distribution is between the Atlantic costal basins from Sao Paulo, Brazil in the north until to the vincinity of Rocha, Uruguay in the south.
The main striking feature of this turtle are the spines that are all over the neck. The Carapace and Plastron are more or less black with the extremites grey colored. The relaive small turtle reaches a Carapace lenght of about 20cm in captivity.
(Duméril & Bibron, 1835)
Black Spine-Necked Swamp Turtle
The black spine necked swamp turtle Acanthochelys spixii (former Platemys spixii) is distributed in eastern Southamerica. There it is found west as an isolated population in Corrientes provinceof the Rio Parana basin of Argentinia. The main distribution is between the Atlantic costal basins from Sao Paulo, Brazil in the north until to the vincinity of Rocha, Uruguay in the south.
The main striking feature of this turtle are the spines that are all over the neck. The Carapace and Plastron are more or less black with the extremites grey colored. The relaive small turtle reaches a Carapace lenght of about 20cm in captivity.
Distribution in northern Argentina, Uruquay and southern Brazil
Acanthochelys spixii does lay 3-5 round and hard shelled eggs. Those need to be incubated with a diapause at the beginning of the incubation. 18 degrees for a minimum of 3 month followed by normal incubation during the remaining time is recommended.
Almost spherical egg
6 month old juvenile
3 month old hatchling
3 month old hatchling
