Brazilian snake-necked turtle
The Brazilian snake-necked turtle '', also known commonly as Maximilian's snake-necked turtle, and locally known in Brazilian Portuguese as cágado-da-serra and cágado-pescoço-de-cobra, is a species of turtle in the family Chelidae. The species is native to southeastern Brazil. It is one of the smallest Brazilian freshwater turtles, reaching a maximum straight carapace length of. The species prefers streams with sandy and rocky bottoms and clear water in forests above elevation.
Etymology
The specific name, maximiliani, is in honor of German naturalist Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied.Taxonomy
First described as Emys maximiliani by Mikan, it was subsequently moved to the genus Hydromedusa by Wagler. Several other species described later have since been synonymized with this species. There are no recognised subspecies.Description
The Brazilian snake-necked turtle is a small species reaching a straight carapace length of between with a weight of. The carapace of the adult is oval in shape varying in color from dark gray, through to dark or light brown. The plastron is a yellow or cream color. The species has a moderate-sized head with a small snout and yellowish jaws, with no barbels on the chin. The iris is black. The dorsal surface of the head, neck and limbs are olive green to gray in color with a lighter cream-colored ventral surface.Geographic distribution and habitat
The Brazilian snake-necked turtle is native to southeastern Brazil, in the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The distribution is associated with the mountainous Atlantic rainforest. As a generalization it is found in mountain streams above.The species is found in shallow streams from in depth, with clear, cold water and sandy or rocky substrates. Because of the dense canopy and closed understory of the forests the streams receive little sunlight making basking only possible in gaps along the stream.