The specific name, hogei, is in honor of Brazilian-born Belgian herpetologist Alphonse Richard Hoge.

[6] The primary threat to the ongoing survival of R. hogei is habitat degradation owing to ongoing deforestation, sewage and industrial discharge, agricultural pollution, and dam construction.

Another major concern is direct mortality from sports fishing, hooks with a lower threat level to turtles has been promoted in recent years, as well as two designated no-fishing zones being established along the Carangola River.

This was designated a permanent private protected area as outlined by the Brazilian National System of Conservation Units.

R. hogei relies upon intact closed canopy rainforest for nesting, hence the agricultural practice of clearing forests to the river's edge is very damaging to the species.