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Testudinata -> Pleurodira -> Bothremydids
Topic Started: Jun 14 2016, 01:49 PM (23 Views)
The Dark Phoenix
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Bothremydids:

Giant omnivorous river turtles that live all over the world. These large animals possess long necks and strong webbed claws allowing them to swim well but also doing well in gripping rocks and walking on land. They feed on leaves, fruits, berries, insects, amphibians, and fish and thrive in swamps world wide. In our world there are no living representatives within this group. But here, they thrive to this day.

Genus: Hydropetra
Species: palustris
Name means: Water rock of the marsh
Common Names: South American bother

Stats:
Average size: 4 feet long
Average weight: 90 pounds
Notable features: Largest South American Bothremydid
Location: Amazonian River basin

Description:
A large turtle with a tall rounded shell and a long flexible neck. Legs are long for a turtle with curved claws at the ends of webbed toes. Scales are black while the skin is dark green. Shell is dark grey with a light blue rim.

Facts:
Considering the many lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds within South America, the continent has a lot of large turtles. The South American Bother is no different. The species got its common name when Ichthyologists were trying to collect fish samples only for this animal to keep stealing their samples. Unlike their other Pleurodiran relatives, the Chelids, they are rather clever. They feed on plants but will also drop some plants into the water to lure plant eating fish in. It is unknown whether or not this is intentional or not but it works for them as it attracts more food for them.
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