When we think about Proyecto Tití's conservation work, most people immediately picture the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin leaping through the tropical dry forests of Colombia. But one of the most exciting discoveries in recent years has come from a species that spends most of its time hidden beneath the water's surface.
For biologist Pearson McGovern, the story began with photographs. For years, guides and members of the Proyecto Tití team had shared images of turtles regularly seen in pools and streams throughout the forest. Locally known as carranchina (Dahl’s toad-headed turtle, Mesoclemmys dahli) and tapa culo (Scorpion mud turtle, Kinosternon scorpioides), these turtles appeared so often in camera traps and field observations that they sparked Pearson’s curiosity. What started as a few photographs soon raised bigger questions: Who were these turtles? How many lived in the reserve? And what role did the forest play in their survival?
Together with the Proyecto Tití team, Pearson set out to find answers. The team initially expected the more common Scorpion mud turtle to dominate the area, but the forest had other plans. At first, the team expected the more common Scorpion mud turtle to dominate the area. Across much of Colombia, this species is frequently encountered, making it the logical prediction for the reserve's waterways. The forest, however, had other plans. After months of field surveys, measurements, and turtle marking, the team discovered something completely unexpected. They identified 65 individual Dahl’s toad headed turtles, while recording only a handful of Scorpion mud turtles. The Dahl’s toad headed turtle wasn't just present—it was thriving. Even more surprising was its behavior. Pearson quickly learned that these turtles were highly territorial, often defending pools and water sources from other turtles, including members of their own species. In many locations, the Dahl’s toad headed turtles appeared to dominate the aquatic landscape.
The team spent countless hours monitoring streams and pools throughout the reserve. Over time, these locations became so familiar that students and guides gave each one its own name. There was "Rainbow Pool," where colorful leaves stained the water with soft shades of red and gold, and "Mocho," named after a turtle with damaged shell that were repeatedly observed there. These names helped transform scientific sampling locations into places with stories and personalities of their own.
As the data accumulated, fascinating patterns emerged.
The reserve was home to turtles of every age class—from tiny juveniles to large adults and elderly individuals. This diversity suggested a healthy, reproducing population. One female turtle captured near the nursery was recaptured four months later nearly a kilometer downstream, revealing that these seemingly quiet animals can travel surprising distances through the forest's network of streams. The team also uncovered clues about reproduction. By carefully examining adult females throughout the year, they found that many carried eggs during October, while none showed evidence of reproduction by June. These observations revealed a distinct breeding season that appears to repeat annually.
The research also highlighted how much remains unknown.
Certain streams above an area known as Salto de Chivo contained no Dahl’s toad headed turtles at all. Instead, these waters were dominated by aggressive fish called the wolf fish (Hoplias malabaricus), which eagerly entered traps and occasionally attempted to bite researchers handling them. Could competition for food explain the turtles' absence? The question remains open and is one of many mysteries still waiting to be explored.
Perhaps the most important discovery was what the Dahl’s toad headed turtle represents for conservation in Colombia. This endemic turtle, found nowhere else in the world, was first described in 1945. Yet over the following decades, it remained largely overlooked by science, with very few documented records. Often associated with degraded habitats and agricultural areas, it was rarely considered a conservation priority. That changed in Proyecto Tití's Los Tities de San Juan Forest Reserve. For the first time, researchers confirmed a stable Dahl’s toad headed turtle population living within protected tropical dry forest habitat.
The discovery demonstrated that forest restoration and protection efforts designed for cotton-top tamarins are benefiting many other species as well. As Pearson often reminds us, "Reserves are not for a single species; they are for the entire community." Today, the research continues. New telemetry studies are tracking turtle movements with an unprecedented number of transmitters, helping researchers better understand home ranges, nesting sites, reproduction, and seasonal behavior. Future surveys will provide even more information about population size and long-term conservation needs.
What started as a few photographs shared by field staff has grown into an exciting scientific journey. It is a powerful reminder that every species has a story waiting to be told—and sometimes, when we protect a forest for one iconic animal, we end up saving many others along the way. The Dahl’s toad headed turtle may not be as famous as the cotton-top tamarin, but thanks to the dedication of researchers, students, guides, and local communities, this remarkable turtle is finally receiving the attention it deserves.