Twenty-four embryos were collected to investigate the sequence of metacarpal and phalangeal bone formation in the various stages of prenatal development of Podocnemis expansa, starting from the 18th day of natural incubation. Biometric measurements were taken and the embryos were subjected to the diaphanization technique with bone staining, followed by the Davis and Gore method. Each paw has five metacarpi (M) and 14 phalanges, two on the first finger and three on each of the other fingers, with a phalangeal formula of 2:3:3:3:3. Retention of the stain in the metacarpi occurs in the following order: M III > M II = M IV > M I > M V. In stage 20, it is evident that, in all the metacarpi, the ossification centers progress towards the epiphyses. The sequence of stain retention in the distal phalanges (DP) occurs in the order: DP III > DP II > DP IV > DP I > DP V. In the medial phalanges (MP), the stain retention sequence is: MP III > MP IV > MP II > MP V. Finally, the proximal phalanges (PP) retain staining in the following sequence: PP I > PP III > PP IV > PP II > PP V. The differences and similarities in the ossification synchronization of Podocnemis expansa and comparable species are evident. Thus, there is no osteogenetic pattern common to all chelonians, due to variations in the initial site of bone formation and the sequence of ossification.