The domestication of Podocnemis expansa(Gigant Amazonian turtle) with commercial purpose it was implanted inBrazil in 1992. However, a lot of subjects about handling, nutrition, sanityand mainly reproduction are still obscure these animals. The objective of thisstudy was evaluated the effects of crude protein concentration and source onbody weight of Podocnemis expansa. The turtles (n=480) were transferredto Setor de Piscicultura EV/UFG. Six animal groups (80/each) were put in watertanks of 500 liters. Five groups received rations formulated to different concentrationof crude protein (CP) vegetable: CP 18% (PB18), CP 21% (PB21), CP 24% (PB24),CP 27% (PB27) and CP 30% (PB30). Another group (PBA30) was fed commercial rationfor fish with 30% of PB of animal source. Body weight (PC), the length measures(CC) and width of the shell (LC), length (CP) and width of the breastplate (LP),were evaluated every 60 days. The body weight was higher for turtles fed PBA30diet than those fed PB30, PB27 diets, without differences among these groups.The lower biometric measures were observed for groups fed PB24 PB21 and PB18diets, that did not differ among them. Little turtle of P. expansa inthe first ten months of life fed diet with crude protein concentration higherthan 27% showed higher body biometric measures than those fed with diets withlower protein concentration. The diet containing crude protein of animal originpresented better results than the one of vegetable origin.
