Australasian Pig-nose Turtle
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| Carettochelys insculpta Ramsay, 1887 |
The Australasian Pig-nose Turtle, Carettochelys insculpta also known as the Pitted-shelled Turtle, Plateless Turtle or Fly River Turtle is a species of soft-shelled turtle native to freshwater streams, lagoons and rivers of the Northern Territory of Australia and of southern New Guinea. It is the only species in the genus Carettochelys, and the family Carettochelyidae.
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[edit] Description
The Pig-nose Turtle is unlike any other species of freshwater turtle in the world. The carapace is typically grey in color, with a leathery texture, while the plastron is cream colored. Their feet are actually flippers, more resembling those of marine turtles. Its nose looks like that of a pig, hence the name "Pig-nose Turtle". Males can be easily distinguished from females by their much longer tail. Pig-Nose Turtles can grow to approximately 22 inches (56.3 cm) with a weight of nearly 50 lb (22.7 kg).
[edit] Behavior
Pig-nose Turtles are omnivorous, eating a wide variety of plant and animal matter, but seem to prefer the fruit and leaves of the fig. The species is entirely aquatic, except when females come onto land to lay their eggs. Little is known about their general behavior, as the species has not been well studied in the wild.
[edit] Subspecies
There are two recognized subspecies of the Pig-nose Turtle:
- Carettochelys insculpta insculpta (Ramsay, 1887)
- Carettochelys insculpta canni (Wells, 2002)
 Juvenile Pig-nose Turtle, Carettochelys insculpta |
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[edit] In captivity
In recent years Pig-nose Turtles have become more commonly available in the exotic pet trade, including a few instances of captive breeding. While juveniles are quite small, and they do grow slowly, their high cost and large potential size, makes them only suitable for the most advanced of aquatic turtle keepers. They tend to be shy and prone to stress, which can cause problems with their feeding, but they are known to eat commercially available processed turtle pellets or trout chow, as well as various fruit and vegetables.
[edit] References
- Species Carettochelys insculpta at the Species2000 Database
- IUCN Red list of Threatened Species: Carettochelys insculpta
