The turtles are an ancient reptile clade, that have reorganized their limbs and torsos so as to become encased in a bony armor. This has constrained their evolutionary potential forever since; a turtle is obviously a turtle, but their specializations have not constrained them in a way that has prevented them adopting a wide range of ecologies. Turtles are present in the ocean and in arid lands, and there are turtles that eat jellyfishes or sea sponges, fruits or grasses, fish or insects. The twist necked turtle (Platemys platycephala) is to the turtles what flatfish are to fishes, and rays are to sharks. In this interesting reptile species, the whole body is exceptionally wide and flat so that it may exploit the availability of hiding places, and it's coloration helps it's camouflage.
Platemys is a small turtle as it's carapace is 14 to 18 centimeters, or 5 and a 1/2 to 7 inches long. It's natural range is described as pan-Amazonian and the species is native to northern and central South America. In some parts of its range - but not most of it - the temperature in the cool months might even be below 10 degrees centigrade; however its range is basically tropical. This turtle is not only found in swamps and flooded forests, but also in non-flooded forest environments Mostly it is associated with shallow creek beds.
The diet of Platemys is carnivorous and incorporates items such as annelids, insects, crustaceans, and amphibian spawn. In other words this turtle is an amphibious feeder, that takes food in the water and on dry land. In the wild they are often observed on land after rain, but in captivity, Platemys is more terrestrial than aquatic. Their digital webbing is intermediate, and they possess an appearance that one usually associates with a turtle that spends much time on land.
Although twist-necked turtles do well in captivity, they can appear deceptively frail to those with preconceived ideas about what a healthy turtle should look like. Supposedly they are prone to fungal infection unless they are accommodated in water that is rich in tannins. They are actually easy to feed as they will accept most items appropriate to generalist, insectivorous-leaning carnivorous turtles. The water that is available to them needs only to be shallow, whereas the substrate on the land should be soft enough for shallow digging. Leaves such as palm fronds would be very appropriate decor for this forest floor turtle - live plants may be uprooted.
In rainforest pools and creeks the water temperature is that of our tropical aquariums. Whereas the air temperature of the rainforest understory, is a degree or two lower than would be the case in open, unshaded areas. The air temperature then, should be perhaps 21 to 24 degrees centigrade, whilst the water can be heated to normal tropical aquarium temperatures, in the middle 20s.
Although my description of such an environment, is obviously that of an aquaterrarium or paludarium, it may be hard to find other species that are suitable for cohabitation with them. Among their own species they are solitary, though they have been housed together: the only rish, as with other turtles species, is that the horny males can become vigorously rambunctious. They are nocturnal and thus no not exactly need UVB if, as carnivores, they are fed correctly. However it's availability is probably of some benefit to any vertebrate. Any plants in their home will not be devoured by the turtles, but might well be uprooted by their natural activities.
