Hidden Nesting Secrets: Amazon’s Giant Turtle Hideaway Revealed

-

🌿 A Surprising Wildlife Discovery in the Amazon

In July–August 2025, researchers documented the world’s largest known nesting site of giant South American river turtles (Podocnemis expansa) along the Guaporé River, which borders Brazil and Bolivia.


Using drone surveys and movement modeling, they estimated ~41,000 nesting females gathered over just 12 days—an astonishing number previously hidden from view.

📍 Where and When?

  • Location: Guaporé River sandbanks, Brazil–Bolivia border
  • Peak nesting: Late July to early August (dry season)
  • Nest depth: 60–80 cm
  • Eggs per nest: 75–123
  • Incubation: ~50 days (temperature determines sex)

📊 Quick Facts

Item Details
Species Giant South American river turtle (Podocnemis expansa)
Estimated Nesting Females ≈ 41,000
Eggs per Female 75–123
Incubation Time ~50 days
Hatchling Survival ~5% to adulthood

🛡️ Conservation Significance

Despite being protected under CITES Appendix II, Arrau turtles face serious threats: egg poaching, habitat destruction, and hydropower dams.

Fortunately, local conservation efforts, especially community-based monitoring, have shown great promise. In some Amazon areas, nest predation dropped to just 2%.

🔗 Sources

Suggested reading on our site: More nature discoveries

Comments

Post a Comment

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

10 Amazing Space Events of the Past Year

-
Image
The cosmos never ceases to amaze us with its mysteries and wonders. From groundbreaking discoveries to fascinating cosmic phenomena, here are ten remarkable space events that took place in the past year, giving us a glimpse into the ever-expanding universe. 1. Unprecedented Exoplanet Discovery Astronomers have discovered Earth-like planets in distant star systems, raising hopes for potential life beyond our planet. 2. NASA’s Artemis I Mission Success Human return to lunar exploration took a giant leap forward with the successful completion of Artemis I, paving the way for future manned missions. 3. First Images from the James Webb Telescope Stunning deep-space visuals captured by the James Webb Space Telescope have revealed never-before-seen details of galaxies, nebulae, and exoplanets. 4. Solar Storms and Auroras Intense solar activity led to spectacular auroras that could be seen at latitudes further south than usual, captivating skywatchers around the world. 5. The rise of space tou...
READ MORE

The Hidden Threat Beneath the Waves: Exploring the Environmental Impact of Shipwrecks

-
Image
Shipwrecks scattered across the ocean floor may seem like a relic of the past, but today they pose a constant and growing environmental threat. With more than 8,500 shipwrecks lying underwater around the world, these forgotten vessels carry both historical value and environmental hazards. That’s why understanding and addressing this issue is critical to protecting marine ecosystems. The Scale of the Problem Historical records, such as those held by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation in London, and research by experts like Paul Hershink, shed light on the staggering number of shipwrecks. These vessels include warships, cargo ships, and oil tankers, many of which still contain hazardous materials such as fuel oil and chemicals that can pollute the marine environment for decades. The Cost of Inaction The environmental and financial costs are alarming: Dollars: Removing pollutants and salvaging materials from shipwrecks costs millions per ship. For example, cleaning up World War II wrecks can...
READ MORE

The Ethical Dilemma of Mirror Neurons: Why Scientists Are Calling for Their Regulation

-
Image
Mirror neurons are one of the most groundbreaking discoveries in neuroscience. These specialized brain cells fire both when a person performs an action and when they observe another doing the same. While they hold enormous potential for understanding empathy, learning, and even artificial intelligence, some scientists argue that manipulating them poses significant ethical and biological risks. But why should these neurons, essential to human connection, be considered too dangerous for experimentation? What are mirror neurons ? First discovered in monkeys and later confirmed in humans, mirror neurons allow us to “mirror” the actions and emotions of others. They are central to processes such as imitation, emotional contagion, and understanding the intentions of others—cornerstones of human development. However, their potential misuse, such as creating hyperempathic systems or manipulating behavior through advanced technologies, has raised concerns in the scientific community. Why are sci...
READ MORE