Mesoclemmys gibba, or the gibba sideneck turtles are a freindly and shy little species are found in a large part of South America from Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela to Trinidad, Guyana, Surinam, Paraguay and even parts of Brazil. Also called the Toadhead turtle, Gibbas are very widespread and they could easily qualify as the official turtle of South America...
If your family comes from many parts of South America - keeping this species is keeping a little part of your heritage. Gibbas stay small - growing only to 6 or 7 inches...
They get along great with other Gibbas and most other turtle species. They are omnivorous and like pellets, worms, fish & even some plants and greens...
They're an excellent beginner turtle species and they do very well in shallow water - or in tanks with lots of plants & rocks to climb on... After growing up hatchlings for almost a decade, we've finally hatched our first little Gibbas this year... Gibbas are the 132nd species or morph that we've hatched to date : )