Turtles
Australia is home to about 23 species of freshwater turtle. All but one of these species belong to the family Chelidae, which is found only in Australasia and South America. These long-, snake-, or side-necked turtles retract their head and neck beneath their shell by folding it to one side, rather than drawing their head backwards as most of the world’s species of turtles and tortoises do.
Australia also has six species of marine turtles but lacks the truly land-based tortoises that occur on all other continents except Antarctica. Only three marine turtles occur regularly in Sydney waters, the Green Turtle, the Loggerhead and the Leatherback.
North American species of freshwater turtles have also been found in the Sydney region, probably as a result of people releasing imported pets into local waterways.
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Emydura macquarii
That is interesting. I've been consulting my field guide to "Reptiles of New South Wales" (Swan et al). It tells me that there are six subspecies of Emydura macquarii. Five are restricted to east flowing river systems, the furthest south being E. macquarii dharruk (Sydney Basin Turtle) in the Nepean River system. Its carapace length reaches 15cm in males and 19cm in females
E. macquarii macquarii is found through the Murray Darling drainage west of the Great Dividing Range and would therefore be the most likely sub species inhabiting Jim"s swamp if his theory is correct.
E. macquarii macquarii is the largest of the 6 subspecies. Its carapace length reaches 30cm in males and 34cm in females. cheers, Max
Emydura macquarii
Emydura macquarii
Emydura macquarii
Emydura macquarii
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