Fly River turtle

More Information

Fly River turtles have gray bodies with white undersides and soft, leathery skin instead of scutes over their carapace (upper shell) and plastron (lower shell). Their paddle-shaped forelegs are used for moving through the water, while their webbed hind legs act as rudders. They also have a distinctively prominent nose, which allows them to breathe at the surface of the water while completely submerged and also has sensory receptors which help the turtles find food in turbid conditions. This species can grow up to 22 inches and more than 50 pounds. While their lifespan in the wild is unknown, individuals in human care have lived into their late 30s.

These reptiles are almost completely aquatic, preferring warm and fresh water, slow currents, and soft river bottoms. Fly River turtles become mature at 14–15 years old and nest during the dry season, which varies by location. They mate every two years. Following that, females can lay up to two clutches of up to 40 eggs a year in shallow sand or mud. Incubation lasts up to 107 days. Hatching coincides with the start of the local wet season.

Did You Know?

• Fly River turtles are named for a river they inhabit in Papua New Guinea. They are also called pitted-shelled turtles or pig-nosed turtles because of their long, fleshy snouts.
• These turtles are the last living member of the Carettochelyidae family, which contains freshwater turtles with paddle-like limbs.
• The sex of the young is determined by temperature during incubation. Ninety-degree Fahrenheit conditions produce both males and females. Higher temperatures produce females, while lower ones produce males.