They have a preference for waters with low or moderate currents, soft bottoms and abundant aquatic vegetation.

The female is bigger and may reach 30 centimetres (12 in) in length and has the bottom of the shell (plastron) slightly convex so as to provide more space for eggs.

The turtles are susceptible to diseases such as pneumonia, dystocia, bone decalcification, vitamin deficiency, gastroenteritis, and prolapses.

Pet owners must avoid using small objects as decoration in their tank, because they tend to eat everything they can.

Such small objects, such as pebbles and plastic decorations, may lead to gut impaction, which is very likely to require surgical intervention.

Placing turtles in abrasive surfaces can also cause injuries to the plastron, which provide an entrance point to fungi and bacteria.

Allowing the animal to maintain its temperature around an optimal point (between 28 and 34 degrees Celsius) is a necessity.

[6] These omnivorous turtles can eat almost anything in nature shrimps, vegetables, fruit, carrion, small fishes, snails, worms, etc.

[7] In Uruguay turtles can only be owned with specific documentation and, as they are a protected species, commercialization is forbidden.