This handsome freshwater turtle (Acanthochelys spixii) is called a “gutter” turtle in Spanish, due to the dorsal indentation present on its shell. It is also recognisable for the “spines” it exhibits on the neck. The shell has a maximum length of 20 cm. It prefers small, shallow lagoons with flat borders, surrounded by grass. There is scant information on its habits, most of which was obtained from specimens in captivity.