Pig Nose Turtle

[Retic]

I have wanted one of these guys for a few years now after seeing an adult for sale, I got the chance just recently and jumped at it. I'm not a big turtle lover really but these are like sea turtles, totally aquatic and full of character. Also easy to feed as they are mostly vegetarian.
The photo's are cr** as they are never still

 

[gecko-mad]

same here! how bigs he?

 

[Retic]

The first photo should give you some idea of it's size, that is a small female hand

 

[waruikazi]

Nice one man. Do you know which river system that one os from?

 

[kupper]

that turtle is tops

first time i seen ine was at the reptile park in NSW they get massive

 

[ozzieimages]

Like the second two shots Boa, he/she is a real cutie...

Baz

 

[mike83]

awsome i have a short neck murry and a saw shell i would love to get a pig nose one day may i ask how much it cost u

 

[kupper]

they get massive guy got to have a massive tank at full size

 

[yommy]

Great little animal is the setup much different to a normal turtle setup?

 

[Kitah]

Awesome! Great pics, and great species!

 

[kupper]

yommy full aquatic set up mate will prolly not ever come out of the water unless at breeding time

 

[yommy]

cheers - if i was to convert over to the shell instead of the scales these would be top of the list

 

[waruikazi]

cheers - if i was to convert over to the shell instead of the scales these would be top of the list

These don't really have a shell, they feel more like a leather back turtle. As for a setup... well these guys grow to nearly 25kg so i would think they would need an enclosure around the 4000lt mark as an adullt. Then they need to be kept at 26 degrees during the cold months and a little more in the warmer months. Very expensive pet to keep.

 

[Retic]

Thanks guys.
Just a normal turtle set up but they need good strong filtration and plenty of plants to eat.
Waruikazi, I THINK the parents came from the Daly River.
They obviously take more time and resources as they grow but they are very slow growing and will live in a 4 foot tank for quite a few years. It gives me time to set something up for him when bigger

 

[derekm]

Great turtle, but their adult requirements are more than I'm up for!!! Check out the 4000 litre pig nose turtle tank and turtles in Peter Child's collection in Canberra. [no links please]

 

[ravan]

nawww he's awesome!

 

[Retic]

Yes that is a great set up and similar to what I would be looking at I think.

 

[CHEWY]

Easy to feed alright. They love large chunks of fruit, but you should see how crazy they go if you offer them a mouse.
They have small claws on their front flippers that they will use to tear chunks off while holding the mouse in their mouth.

 

[Retic]

Excellent, so you have them as well ?

 

[CHEWY]

Nope, used to work with them. If you have the set-up, they are awesome.
Like others have said, I'm not a turtle fan, but I could just sit and watch them glide for hours.

Very nice Boa, I'm a little bit envious.