Saw-Shelled Turtle

The Saw-shelled Turtle is a surprisingly common urban ‘survivor’ found from Cape York to northern New South Wales and is distinguished by their jagged saw-like shell. 

Saw-shelled Turtles are sexually dimorphic – females grow significantly larger than males, however male tails are longer than female tails. 

This short-necked turtle is also known as the snapping turtle due to its fierce bite. Primarily carnivorous, the Saw-shelled Turtle eats fish, tadpoles, insects and frogs, and is one of only a few native species capable of safely consuming cane toads.