Hi, welcome back to animals under threat. Last time, we covered the Central rock-rat which is under threat from habitat destruction and introduced species. Today, we will be covering a species of freshwater turtle that looks more suited to marine life, has an unusual nose, and is under threat from multiple things. Say hello to the Pig-nosed Turtle.
(Current distribution range of Pig-nosed Turtle by IUCN RED LIST https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3898/2884984)
Pig-nosed Turtles that live in New Guinea have a
different habitat structure compared to Pig-nosed Turtles that live in
Australia. New Guinea Pig-nosed Turtles live in a variety of water habitats
ranging from rivers, deltas, lagoons, and swamps in the Southern Lowlands while
Pig-nosed Turtles in Australia depend on seasonal, shallow, and continuously
flowing waters (Eisemberg et al. 2015). Female Pig-nosed Turtles reach maturity
around 18-19 years old while male Pig-nosed Turtles reach maturity around 16-17
years old. Female turtles lay their eggs in sandy riverbanks during the late
dry season in preparation for the wet season (reptilepark, 2024). When the
offspring are fully developed, they remain in their eggs until conditions are
stable as they require flooding to hatch or a drop in air pressure from a storm
(reptilepark, 2024).
The Pig-nosed Turtle has been classed as endangered due to the wide variety of threats that has reduced this species numbers and habitat. First threat to this species in the introduction of invasive species such as the European Red Fox and Feral pigs. The European Red Fox feeds on the eggs of nesting females or eating the adults when they resting while the Feral pigs may feed on the eggs of turtles (Petrov et al, 2023). Another threat to the Pig-nosed Turtles is the wildlife trading/pet trading with both adult turtles and eggs been harvested for the pet trade, meat, and medicine (Shepherd, C. R. et al. 2020). A third threat is the consumption of turtle meat. Pig-nosed Turtles and their eggs are considered a food source for indigenous peoples in the area (IUCN, 2024). Habitat degradation and destruction is another threat to the Pig-nosed Turtle as land used by farmers can lead to sediment build up in the rivers which affects the turtle’s food supply and their access to the water (Petrov et al, 2023).
Next time, we will be covering a species of rabbit that lives in Africa and has become critically endangered from a variety of threats.
References
Eisemberg, C., van Dijk, P.P., Georges, A. & Amepou, Y. 2018. Carettochelys insculpta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T3898A2884984. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T3898A2884984.en. Accessed on 01 August 2023.
Eisemberg, C. C., Rose, M., Yaru, B., Amepou, Y., & Georges, A. (2015). Salinity of the coastal nesting environment and its association with body size in the estuarine pig‐nosed turtle. Journal of Zoology., 295(1), 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12179
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/nominations/ineligible-species/carettochelys-insculpta accessed on 13/08/2024
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3898/2884984 Accessed on 13/08/2024
Petrov, K., Sutcliffe, S., Truscott, H., Kutay, C., Eisemberg, C.C., Spencer, R.J. et al. (2023) Turtles in trouble. Conservation ecology and priorities for Australian freshwater turtles. Austral Ecology, 48, 1603–1656. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13418
https://www.reptilepark.com.au/pig-nosed-turtle/ Accessed on 13/08/2024
Shepherd, C. R. et al. (2020) Illegal wildlife trade, seizures and prosecutions: A 7.5-year analysis of trade in pig-nosed turtles Carettochelys insculpta in and from Indonesia. Global ecology and conservation. [Online] 24e01249-
Picture references
All pictures from (https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3898/2884984)
