The yellow-spotted river turtle, Podocnemis unifilis, is one of South America's largest river turtles, a side-necked species of the family Podocnemididae found through the Amazon and Orinoco basins and river systems of the Guianas. It grows up to about 45 centimeters and 8 kilograms, with a black or brown oval carapace bearing low keels, and takes its name from bright yellow spots on the head that are most vivid in juveniles and fade with age; females can grow to roughly twice the size of males. It favors calm tributaries and large lakes, moving into flooded forests and floodplain lakes during seasonal floods, and is classified as Vulnerable, having been heavily exploited historically for the pet trade.
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