New Guinea snapping turtle

Description:

The New Guinea snapping turtle (syn: Myuchelys novaeguineae) is a widespread species of relative abundance that occurs throughout the lowlands of northern New Guinea, making it the most widely distributed chelonian in New Guinea. The systematic relationships of the various populations in this wide distribution have not yet been elucidated, and further taxonomic study is clearly necessary. Trade in the species includes extensive local consumption, and local and regional food markets; for sale in food markets all over northern PNG. (Rhodin and Genorupa 2000, Chelonian Research Monographs)

Habitat:

Shallow flooded swale (freshwater) of coastal zone forest.

Notes:

This turtle was captured at night in rain-flooded coastal forest. It was taken to the village for photographing (hence the grassy substrate in the photos). It was then released back into flooded coastal forest habitat.