Iberá Experience All wildlife
Side-necked turtle (Phrynops hilarii)
Photo: Charles J. Sharp (CC BY-SA)
🐢 Native species of the Iberá

Side-necked turtle

Phrynops hilarii

The turtle that suns itself on logs poking out of the water. Grey face with a black line across the eye, like a half-worn mask.

It does not pull its head straight in like other turtles: it folds its neck sideways and tucks it under the rim of the shell. Two barbels under the chin help it feel the bottom. It eats almost anything: snails, fish, water plants.

Behaviour

Aquatic. It leaves the water only to bask on logs and banks, often several stacked together, and to lay eggs on land.

How and when to see it

Sunny days all year round. Check the fallen logs poking out of the water on boat rides or from the walkways.

Where to see it in the Iberá

The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where side-necked turtle has confirmed presence:

Tours to see it

Verified providers operating at the gateways where side-necked turtle lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.

Species profile

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