The western swamp turtle, aka western swamp tortoise (although it isn’t a tortoise at all), is a species of freshwater turtle that hails from Perth, Australia. These turtles face the threats of habitat destruction and fragmentation; predation by introduced invasive species like foxes; climate change which causes drier winters from less rainfall; inappropriate fire regimens; and the use of pesticides and fertilizers, which can pollute their wetlands. The IUCN lists these aquatic turtles as Critically Endangered. Their population trend is listed as increasing, albeit slowly.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Pseudemydura umbrina
Weight: Up to 1.21 lbs.
Length: Up to 6.1 inches
Lifespan: Up to 60+ years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They were first described by Friedrich Siebenrock in 1901.
2.) These are the smallest chelids (side-neck turtles) found in Australia.
3.) The last remaining locales of these turtles is on the Swan Coastal Plain in Western Australia, from Perth Airport northwards over to Pearce Royal Australian Air Force Base in the Bullsbrook locality (partially parallel with the Darling Scarp).
4.) Insect larvae, crustaceans, earthworms, tadpoles, and small frogs are all on the menu.
5.) They are sometimes plagued with shell disease, which is often caused by bacteria or fungi.
But wait, there’s more on the western swamp turtle!
6.) Mating season lasts from May – September.
7.) Females lay up to 5 eggs that hatch in up to 6 months.
Did you know…?
Most of their territories have been cleared and either urbanized, used for intensive agriculture, or mined for clay for brick manufacturing.
8.) Red foxes, feral cats, goannas, birds of prey, rats, ravens, and bandicoots all prey on these turtles.
9.) A recovery plan was first published in 1994 and has been updated since, the most recent version is dated 2010.
10.) Some of the recovery plans include population monitoring, management of nature reserves, captive breeding at Perth Zoo, and subsequent reintroduction and introduction back into the wild.
Now a Short Western Swamp Turtle Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
Photo credit: earth.com
