Range

Australia is the native home of the broad-shelled turtle. Here they live through the Murray-Darling river system. This range covers the states of South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Populations also occur in coastal basins in southern Queensland and on Fraser Island.

Habitat

These animals spend much of their time in the water rarely emerging on to the land. They can be found close to water normally in wetlands.

Reproduction

Nesting takes place from Autumn to winter.

The female will excavate a nest away from the water where they can deposit between 10 and 20 eggs which have a hard shell. These are then buried before she will return to the water.

These eggs can hold off on hatching until conditions outside are favorable. This is primarily after rain which will soften the soil and help them to dig their way out of the soil.

The development of the eggs can be arrested and this can increase the incubation period up to a year long.

Once the young turtles hatch they will make their way straight to the water.

Behavior

The broad-shelled turtle will spend much of its time in the water rarely emerging to bask.

These animals regularly groom themselves. This involves biting and scratching their skin to remove bits of dead skin.

Predators and Threats

Adults are large enough to avoid attention from most predators. The main threats are faced by juveniles who may be eaten by crocodiles, fish, foxes and birds.

Occasionally these animals become caught in a trap and this will result in them drowning.

Quick facts

These animals are also known as the broad-shelled snake-necked turtle.