Future Amazon River Turtles

Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtles are native to the Amazon River Basin. These turtles lay eggs in riverbanks. River Turtles consume weeds, grasses, and small fish. In the future, climate change might turn the Amazon into a dry savanna. The forest could become warmer, leading to sources of water drying. Species could become extinct, though increased CO2 levels boost plant growth. In order to survive, turtles could develop claws and non-webbed feet in order to be able to spend more time on land. The turtles could evolve to become less dependent on water, laying eggs in burrows instead of on the water, and storing water inside of their bodies. With less food in the future, turtles could change their diet to consume more vegetation since fish may become scarce. They might also develop stronger teeth for chewing tough plants and become smaller, eating less food and saving their energy.