BiologyCoachOnlineBlog

The Mary River turtle is a short-necked, fresh-water turtle that is endemic to the Mary River in south-east Queensland, Australia. It is one of Australia's largest turtles. In fact, specimens with a carapace length of more than 20-inches (50 cm) have been recorded.

Adult Mary River turtles have an elongated carapace that may be plain-colored or intricately patterned. Color can vary from rusty red to brown and almost black. The plastron may be cream to pale pink. Skin coloration is generally similar to the shell and may have salmon- pink blotches on the tail and limbs. These highly endangered turtles may also have blue eyes.

Mary River turtles use bimodal respiration. That is, they are capable of absorbing oxygen through their cloacas (while under water) as well as breathing air at the surface. Unique to Australian turtles is their comparatively long tails (which can measure almost two-thirds of the carapace length). Also unique to to Mary River turtles are the long barbels under their chins. Proportionately, the Mary River turtle has the smallest head and largest hind feet of all the species within the genera. In fact, their large hind feet contribute to this turtles' distinction of being the fastest swimmer. Mary River turtles inhabit well-oxygenated sections of streams in the Mary River basin. Like all acquatic turtles they nest on land. They are omnivorous: they feed on plant matter (e.g. algae) as well as bivalves and other small prey animals.

Finally, Mary River turtles are unique as well as they often are seen sporting vast "gardens" of algae growing on their shells and even their heads. The latter often gives these turtles the appearance of having wild and unkempt green "hairdos."