Venezuela 1992 Michel #2729 – #2732 Red-footed Tortoise and South American River Turtle Stamps

World Wildlife Fund postage stamps issued Venezuela in 1992. This set of four stamps (Michel #2729 – #2732) depicts the Red-footed Tortoise (Geohelone carbonaria) and the South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa), both species found in Venezuela.

Red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria)

Previously classified as Geohelone carbonaria. A medium-sized tortoise (12-16 inches in length) from northern South America, closely related to the yellow-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulata) from the Amazon Basin. The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the main predator of adults of this tortoise species. Both the red-footed and yellow-footed tortoises are a significant food source for the jaguar in some parts of their respective ranges (e.g. Manú National Park in Peru). The red-footed tortoise is popular in the pet trade around the world.

South American river turtle (Podocnemis expansa)

South American river turtle, also known as the Charapa turtle or Arrau turtle, is an endangered species found in the Amazon Basin. This species is the largest of the side-neck turtles with adults reaching nearly three feet in length. This turtle is a vegetarian, feeding entirely on plants. The South American river turtle’s nesting habits are very similar to those of sea turtles. Like sea turtles they gather in huge numbers at suitable nesting areas to lay their eggs.