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Black-lined Toadhead Turtle
Mesoclemmys raniceps
-2.15, -77.69
Field Notes
Description:
This is a side-necked fresh water turtle that has an unusually large head, hence the name, "Toad-headed Turtle." This was a young one measuring about 12-15 cm over the carapace. The carapace has a fairly sharp keel running its length in juveniles which gradually loses its sharpness as the turtle ages. It is a very dark green to black with white showing between scales on the neck and head and the bottom fringe of the carapace. The plastron is also dark.
Habitat:
This turtle was found along the edge of a small stream in the Amazon rainforest of Southeast Ecuador (650 masl).
Notes:
The name was changed from Mesoclemmys raniceps to Batrachemys raniceps in 2012. These turtles can actually move fairly rapidly on land.
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