Nesting of Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines: Pelomedusidae) in the Colombian Amazon

Between 1973 and 1975 river turtles (genus Podocnemis) were studied in the region of Leticia, Colombia, and along the lower reaches of the Putumayo River in Colombia. Detailed information was collected concerning the nesting behavior, eggs, and characteristics and placement of nests for Podocnemis unifilis. Female P. unifilis apparently use the tail to arrange eggs during laying. Filling of the nest is in four distinct, but over-lapping, phases: filling, packing, sweeping, and stamping. The clutch for one animal under observation (41) was equal to the largest ever recorded for this species. Human predation is incessant and may have significantly altered nesting behavior.