Its scientific name is Podocnemis lewyana, and it is endemic to Colombia (it does not exist anywhere else in the world).
It can be found in Antioquia, Atlántico, Bolívar, Boyacá, Caldas, Cesar, Córdoba, Cundinamarca, La Guajira, Magdalena, Santander, Sucre, and Tolima.
This is a medium to large-sized turtle that exhibits sexual dimorphism. Females are larger and have a less rounded head than males. Additionally, females have a narrower posterior shell, while males have longer and wider tails.
It inhabits rivers, streams, marshes, and flooded areas connected to rivers. It is primarily herbivorous, helping control the spread of aquatic vegetation and contributing to the nutrient cycle. It nests on exposed sandbanks during periods when river levels drop.
It is classified as Critically Endangered.
Its main threat is the hunting of adult individuals and egg poaching. However, it is also affected by damage to its nesting sites, caused by livestock intrusion, sand extraction, and river level manipulation due to the presence of dams.
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