Pig-Nosed Turtle by Ghirin

The pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta), also known as the Fly River turtle, is a unique species of freshwater turtle native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea. The turtle gets its name from the way its nostrils are located in the front of its snout.

Even though the pig-nosed turtle is a freshwater turtle, it resembles a sea-going turtle because it has flippers instead of front legs. These turtles have been found in a variety of habitats, including rivers, estuaries, lagoons, lakes, swamps and water pools. The waterway bottoms are usually covered with gravel and the banks are usually heavily forested.

Pig-nosed turtles are omnivorous, but have a preference for fruit and leaves.

References:

http://www.tortoise.org/archives/pignose.html

http://www.whozoo.org/Intro2002/RacheLoftin/RNL_flyriverturtle.html

http://www.chelonia.org/carettochelys_gallery.htm

Created Ghirin 2005