Pig Nosed Turtle

Hi! I’m a Pig Nosed Turtle

The Pig Nosed Turtle is a large, freshwater turtle found in the Northern Territory, New Guinea, and Indonesia. They can grow up to 75 cm, and are named for their unique, fleshy snout, resembling a pig. Turtles make their homes in river systems or still bodies of water. They are efficient swimmers, and can speed away from and out manouver predators, like crocodiles.

The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to 1 Pig Nosed Turtle, Snoot.

Pig Nosed Turtle Facts

Taxonomy

Carettochelys insculpta

Population Movement

Decreasing

Current Animals

Snoot

Life Span (captive)

25-30 years

Weight

20kg

Reproduction

Pig-nosed turtles are polygynandrous (promiscuous) and both the males and females mate with multiple partners. In Australia, they nest from June to November and in New Guinea from September to January. Females lay eggs every two years in a shallow nest burrowed in sand or mud located on river banks. They do not guard their nests and leave right after the eggs are deposited. Each clutch contains 7 to 26 eggs.

Conservation Status

Endangered

Group Count

1

Life Span (wild)

Unknown

Size

70-75cm

Gestation

65-107 days incubation

Distribution

Freshwater streams, lagoons, and rivers of the Northern Territory in Australia, and New Guinea