| Range: |
Northern Australia, southern Papua New Guinea |
| Habitat: |
Rivers, streams, lakes, lagoons |
| Conservation Status: |
Threatened |
| Scientific Name: |
Carettochelys insculpta |
One look at its fleshy snout and big nostrils, and you can see where the pig-nosed turtle got its name. But this freshwater turtle has a number of other unique body features. Its front limbs have undersized claws and are shaped like paddles - much like those of sea turtles. This means that the pig-nosed turtle rows through the water by moving its forelimbs in unison (as do marine turtles), rather than swimming like other freshwater turtles. And here's another interesting physical feature: although the turtle's upper shell is covered by a layer of skin, it's not a softshell turtle. Did you Know?The pig-nosed turtle is sometimes known as the Fly River turtle, named after one body of water in New Guinea where it's commonly found.
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