Red-bellied Turtle

The Red-bellied Turtle

The Red-bellied Turtle(Emydura subglobosa) is an aquatic species native to New Guinea and northern Australia, particularly the Cape York Peninsula. It thrives in swamps, wetlands and slow-moving river systems, rich in vegetation and natural shelter.

A species with spectacular colors

Its name comes from the orange-red hue of its plastron (ventral part of the carapace), contrasting with its gray skin and pale eyes. This vivid coloring makes it a turtle much prized by aquatic animal lovers, which has unfortunately encouraged its capture for the illegal trade.

Habitat and behavior

The Red-bellied Turtle spends most of its time in the water, where it feeds on aquatic plants, small invertebrates and fallen fruit. It prefers calm, deep waters, but may come out onto the banks to expose itself to the sun. Its discreet behavior makes sightings in the wild particularly rare.

Threats and conservation

Predation of eggs by feral pigs, illegal collection for sale as pets and wetland degradation are the main threats to this species. While the New Guinea population remains relatively stable, the Australian population is gradually declining. Awareness-raising and captive breeding programs, such as those at A Cupulatta Park, are now helping to protect the species.

Click here to discover and visit the A Cupulatta turtle park near Ajaccio.