Diet
Fly River Turtles are omnivorous, consuming a varied diet that includes fish, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic vegetation, and carrion.
Average lifespan
In the wild, they can live between 50 to 70 years, with long lifespans reported under favorable conditions.
Size
Adult turtles typically have a carapace length ranging from 50 to 70 centimeters (20 to 28 inches).
Weight
Adults generally weigh between 10 to 20 kilograms (22 to 44 pounds), though size and weight can vary regionally.
About
Native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea, the Fly River Turtle inhabits freshwater rivers, swamps, and floodplains. It is notable for its distinctive, soft, leathery shell and broad, pig-like snout, adaptations that support its highly aquatic lifestyle.
Size and behavior
With a streamlined, flattened body, the Fly River Turtle is an excellent swimmer. It spends most of its life submerged, often basking on logs or riverbanks. On land, its movements are slow and deliberate, reflecting a lifestyle that is primarily adapted to aquatic environments.
Diet and nutrition
Fly River Turtles are omnivores that feed on fallen fruit, leaves and aquatic plants, along with snails, crustaceans, insects and fish. Plant matter, especially fruit and seeds that drop from riverside trees, makes up much of their diet.
Tropical Rivers & Lakes
Conservation status
The Fly River Turtle is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Heavy harvesting of adults and eggs for food, together with habitat degradation, has caused severe declines in parts of its range in New Guinea and northern Australia.
Fun fact
The Fly River Turtle is the sole representative of its family, Carettochelyidae. Its soft, flexible shell and pig-like snout are unique among turtles, making it one of the most distinctive and evolutionarily unusual turtle species in the world.
Common Name: Fly River Turtle
Also known as: Bacon
Visit in person
Animals on display vary by location and may change from day to day.