Pig-nosed Turtle
| Geographical Range | Northern Australia, southern Papua New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Rivers, streams, lakes, lagoons |
| Scientific Name | Carettochelys insculpta |
| Conservation Status | Threatened |
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.









