Pig-nosed Turtle
The pig-nosed turtle is a unique freshwater turtle with a pig-like snout and flippers. It lives in New Guinea and northern Australia, and is threatened by overhunting and habitat loss.
What is it?
The pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) is a very special kind of turtle. Its front legs look like the flippers of a sea turtle, which makes it a great swimmer. Its shell is covered with a leathery skin, so it is not a softshell turtle. Its funny name comes from its "pig nose" nostrils.
How old?
This turtle species has been around for millions of years. The one you saw at the museum might have been any age, but pig-nosed turtles can live for a long time.
What was it like?
You learned that the pig-nosed turtle lives in freshwater rivers, streams, and lagoons in southern New Guinea and northern Australia. Its flippers help it swim fast in the water.
Why does it matter?
Pig-nosed turtles are important for the biodiversity of their freshwater habitats. They are threatened by overexploitation in Indonesia and habitat degradation in Australia. Protecting them helps protect the whole ecosystem.
Connections
- Biodiversity
- Endangered Species
- Endemic Species
- Adaptation
- Conservation
- New Guinea and Northern Australia
Next to find
- Find another animal with a pig-like nose.
- Look for a turtle that lives in the ocean and compare its flippers to the pig-nosed turtle's.
- Learn about other animals that are threatened by overhunting.
猪鼻龟
猪鼻龟是一种独特的淡水龟，有猪一样的鼻子和鳍状肢。它生活在新几内亚和澳大利亚北部，因过度捕猎和栖息地丧失而受到威胁。
这是什么？
猪鼻龟（Carettochelys insculpta）是一种非常特别的龟类。它的前肢看起来像海龟的鳍状肢，这使它成为一个出色的游泳者。它的背壳被一层皮革般的皮肤覆盖，所以它不是软壳龟。它有趣的名字来自它的“猪鼻子”鼻孔。
有多古老？
这种龟已经存在了数百万年。你在博物馆看到的那只可能任何年龄，但猪鼻龟可以活很长时间。
它曾经是什么样的？
你了解到猪鼻龟生活在新几内亚南部和澳大利亚北部的淡水河流、溪流和泻湖中。它的鳍状肢帮助它在水中快速游泳。
为什么重要？
猪鼻龟对其淡水栖息地的生物多样性很重要。它们在印度尼西亚受到过度开发的威胁，在澳大利亚受到栖息地退化的威胁。保护它们有助于保护整个生态系统。
联系
接下来寻找
- 找另一种有猪一样鼻子的动物。
- 寻找一种生活在海洋中的龟，比较它的鳍状肢和猪鼻龟的。
- 了解其他因过度捕猎而受到威胁的动物。