Carettochelys insculpta

Carettochelys insculpta is known to inhabit the Fly, Morehead, Lorentz, Stekwa, and Strickland rivers and Lake Jamur in Papua New Guinea. Carettochelys insculpta also is found in the Northern Territory of Australia in such locations as the Alligator, Daly, and Victoria drainages. Carettochelys insculpta seems to prefer the coastal temperate regions of northern Australia (Ernst & Barbour 1989).

Carettochelys insculpta likes to inhabit bodies of water that contain water year round such as larger bays, estuaries and rivers especially large wholes and lagoons on river systems. The majority of the sightings of Carettochelys insculpta have been in fresh water but it is known to venture into coastal waters to forage for food.

Carettochelys insculpta somewhat resembles a marine turtle due to its front limbs having a paddle-like appearance with two claws on each. Carettochelys insculpta also has characteristics that resemble that of the family Trionychidae, with a soft tissue covering over its carapace and lacking scutes. The carapace can reach 55cm in length and be very domed. Its coloration can range from a very light gray to olive in color. Creamy to white blotches may border the lower portion of the carapace. The bridge and plastron are white in color with the remainder of the body being closely matching the coloration to the caparace except for a pale streak behind the eye.

Hatchling Carettochelys insculpta have a slightly lighter coloration and the carapace has a very distinct knobby keel and serrated border.

Carettochelys insculpta is known to nest through the season of September through November. Its nesting habits also seem to resemble some marine turtles in that Carettochelys insculpta is a evening and night nester. Around dark the females crawl onto sandbanks to build their nests. The nests are very shallow (6-21cm) and in this nest the female deposits up to 30 eggs, they are round, smooth, and brittle shelled with a diameter of 38-40 mm. The incubation period is approximately three and half to four months in length, after this time the tiny (57mm) hatchlings emerge. Another interesting fact about Carettochelys insculpta is that the offspring are temperature sex determined, with females developing in hot nest and males developing in cool nest. If nest temperature varies, hatchling sex will vary in that nest.

Carettochelys insculpta is known to prefer the fruits of pandanus and figs but it will feed on mollusks, worms, and crustaceans.

Carettochelys insculpta is a very shy and elusive species. It was only recently discovered in Australia, and there is not much known about the population in Papua New Guinea. The most effective way to conserve this species and prevent its extinction will be to protect its habitat and prevent its exploitation.