Pig-nosed turtles have many names, such as flying river turtles and shieldless turtles. This species dates back 70 million years before the extinction of the dinosaurs, which makes them completely ancient times. Pig-nosed turtles are also the last survivors of their families, which makes them very curious and fascinating.
Their distinctive shape is their "pig nose", a snorkel used to find food and breathe underwater, and the pig-nosed turtle has a very keen sense of smell. Despite being freshwater turtles, they have finned limbs like sea turtles. They are also the only freshwater turtles with such flippers. These characteristics make them very unique and make them completely different from other freshwater turtle species. Their shells have a leather-like texture and are generally olive in color. The tough texture protects adult pig-nosed turtles from a variety of predators. Unlike many turtles, pig-nosed turtles have a more streamlined appearance, which makes them more adaptable to life in the water. They are an extremely rare species, not even many people have seen them in person, but they are known for their unique appearance.
The pig-nosed turtle is scientifically known as the two-clawed turtle, and it belongs to the two-clawed turtle family, turtle turtle order. Their current numbers are unknown and are native to southern New Guinea and northern Australia. They are also called flying river turtles because they are common in the rivers of New Guinea. Pig-nosed turtles can grow to about 50 centimeters and weigh more than 20 kilograms. Their average life expectancy is 30 years.
The survival of the pig-nosed turtle is threatened by many, and in the natural environment, the threat of predators comes from crocodiles and alligators. Snakes, lizards, and pigs steal, eat, and stomp on eggs, but they don't prey on adult pig-nosed turtles. In an anthropogenic environments, in some areas, they are caught and killed by fishermen because they are considered pests that attack bait. Their numbers have been decreasing in some areas, and both Australia and New Guinea are taking steps to ensure that their numbers increase. They are forbidden to be sold in fish markets, but in some areas they are still killed because they are considered delicious. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and listed in CITES Appendix II.
Food Options: Pig-nosed turtles are omnivorous, but they prefer to eat plants compared to carnivores (juvenile turtles are more carnivorous). They also eat molluscs and other insects. Because of their herbivorous tendencies, they eat a wide variety of fruits and leaves that grow near the riverbank. They also eat worms and small fish, and they use their noses as snorkels to track small fish. In captivity, pig-nosed turtles often have feeding problems, but with proper care and patience, they can be trained to eat turtle food, various fruits and vegetables such as figs, apples, bananas, lettuce, etc., and occasionally fish and shrimp or barley worms. Feeding times should be three times a week, preferably in the evening, and any uneaten food should be removed from the feeding tank to keep the water clean.
Rearing environment: Rivers, lakes and streams are their natural habitat, because the water is fresh, they can find a large number of small fish and insects to eat. They also sometimes hide in wetlands and swamps. In addition to Australia and New Guinea, some pig-nosed turtles have also been found in Indonesia. In captivity, pig-nosed turtles require very large ponds or tanks because they are larger in adulthood. It is best to raise habitats with a lot of hidden space and aquatic plants. It is also important to keep the water temperature between 26 °C and 30 °C. The water should be clean, but not sterile. A good filtration and UV system needs to be provided, but there is no need to provide a place for the pig-nosed turtle to bask in the sun, as it spends most of its life in water. Never put sucker fish or any aggressive fish in the tank to avoid harming the pig-nosed turtle. In captivity, there should be only one pig-nosed turtle per tank, unless the tank is very large and there is a lot of room to hide, as two or more pig-nosed turtles can lead to constant fighting. Even males and females should not stay together for long periods of time while trying to reproduce offspring.
Breeding: Pig-nosed turtles begin to breed around the age of 16-18. Females usually take longer to reach sexual maturity than males. Females lay their eggs during the dry season. They will leave the water and go to a dry place to lay their eggs. On average, there are about 35 eggs in a clutch. The nest is dug nearly 5 meters above the shore, which makes it easier for newborn pups to reach the surface. Females usually lay eggs at night to avoid predators and then return to the water. Because the nest is not protected, the eggs are vulnerable to predator attack and trampling. The incubation period is 2 to 3 months. It depends on the rainfall. Even when the eggs are ready, they don't hatch until heavy rain comes, and most eggs hatch around midnight.
Finally, pig-nosed turtles are actually very difficult pets to keep in captivity. Only suitable for those who have experience in turtle keeping. They are very demanding of food and very emotional. They also need large ponds or large aquariums because of their large size and fully aquatic nature. They are also very susceptible to illness and need to maintain a pH of around 7.2.
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