Zoolung Animals

Dongtan

Pig-nosed turtle

The pig-nosed turtle is a very unique turtle with a snout resembling a pig’s nose. Its front limbs are fin-like, allowing it to swim smoothly through the water. Unlike other turtles, it rarely comes out of the water. Its shell is not made of hard plates but is smooth and leathery.

Category

Forward Head Posture Pig-Nose Forward Head Posture
Habitat

Rivers, lakes, and other bodies of freshwater
Diet

Plants, crustaceans, insects

We're good friends

Dongtan

Guardian of Life Daechu

Species

Reptiles (Turtles)

It is the only surviving species in the pig-nosed turtle family. Although it is a freshwater turtle, it exhibits a unique evolutionary trait, possessing flippers like those of a sea turtle.

Place of discovery

Northern Australia and New Guinea

It is found primarily in rivers and wetlands in Australia's Northern Territory and the southern part of New Guinea.

Habitat

Rivers, lakes, and freshwater wetlands

They are strictly aquatic and prefer clean freshwater environments with a sandy or gravelly substrate. They rarely leave the water, except when laying eggs.

Diet

Omnivorous

In the wild, they mainly eat fruits such as figs that have fallen near the water's edge, as well as aquatic insects, small fish, and crustaceans.

Features

A master swimmer and a sensitive soul

It swims gracefully, paddling with its front flippers like a sea turtle. Although it is timid, it is very protective of its territory and will sometimes get into fights with other turtles.

Average size

50cm ~ 70cm

The shell is about this long, and as adults, they can weigh over 20 kg, making them quite a hefty, large freshwater turtle.

Features

Fully aquatic turtle

As a fully aquatic turtle, it spends most of its time in the water and comes ashore only during the breeding season.

Lifespan

Ages 25 to 40

In a well-suited environment, they can live for about 30 to 40 years. Because they grow slowly, they tend to live long lives.