The Mary River Turtle (Elusor macrurus)

[Pareeeee]

A cousin of mine posted a photo of this cool looking guy to my Facebook.
Thought I would share here for anyone who hasn't seen one before. I thought he was pretty cool! :)

The Mary River Turtle (Elusor macrurus)
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEDLGZppSrQ/Tke9uwi9ZtI/AAAAAAAADKc/b-eip1XU04I/s1600/Australian%2BReptile%2BPark%2B%252813%2529.jpg

http://static.betazeta.com/www.veoverde.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Elusor-macrurus-tortuga-punky-52.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t68fKOaHomg/URPZ9YmJopI/AAAAAAAAByE/VzlPxW4OwmA/s1600/4.jpg

[drumcrush]

That's awesome!

[wrecker45]

Wow thats cool. how big do they get.

[Pareeeee]

Size is about 16.5", apparently.

According to Elusor macrurus — Mary River Turtle, Mary River Tortoise (http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=64389) it is listed as endangered.

Here is the Wikipedia article on them:
Mary River turtle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_River_turtle) It says "Mary River turtles are also listed in the world's top 25 most endangered turtle species."

[TheFrogman]

OMG how cool ! That's real ?

[sharthun]

So cool!!!!

[Jim Smith]

That is indeed a very odd looking turtle(s). Those must be photos of different turtles. In the first photo, there is no algae on the turtle's head and in the following photos, it's growing like hair all of the head. Either way, cool photos of a very rare turtle. Thanks for sharing.

[Chris72]

Punk Rock Turtle!! I love it. :)

[philbyi-guy]

Wonder how he feels about all that... Pretty good camo though

[Tsubaki]

Very cool turtle!! :D