This critically endangered freshwater turtle is endemic to northern Colombia, where it lives in small pools, streams, and swamps, but aestivates on land.

[1][7] The specific name, dahli, is in honor of Swedish-born Colombian ichthyologist George Dahl (1905-1979), who collected the type specimen.

[8] M. dahli has an olive to brown carapace, which is oval to elliptical (to 22.9 cm [9.0 in][7]) and widest behind the middle with a slightly serrated posterior rim.

have seen few specimens of Mesoclemmys dahli, but in those measured the plastral formula was: intergul > fem > abd > pect > an > hum >< gul.

There are two chin barbels, and the dorsal surface of the head is covered with small to large, irregularly shaped scales.

[citation needed] M. dahli is only known from the lower Magdalena and Sinú river basins in the Atlántico, Bolívar, Córdoba and Sucre Departments in northern Colombia.

Medem (1966)[10] reported the mating season of M. dahli in Colombia as June and July with nesting occurring mainly in September and October, but it may extend through the year.