The Punk - Headed Mary River Turtle: A Unique and Endangered Species

The Mary River turtle, also known as the "punk - headed turtle," is a freshwater turtle endemic to the Mary River in Queensland, Australia4. It has a distinctive appearance, with strands of green algae growing on its head, which gives it the look of a punk rocker with a green Mohawk4. This unique "hairdo" is not actually hair but a natural growth of algae, which adds to the turtle's charm and distinctiveness3.

The Mary River turtle has some remarkable biological characteristics. One of its most unique features is its ability to breathe through gill - like structures in its cloaca, a posterior opening used for excretion and reproduction4. This allows it to stay submerged in water for up to three days, reducing the need to surface for air and helping it avoid predators4. In addition, male Mary River turtles have an unusually long tail, which can grow to nearly two - thirds the length of their carapace, and long barbels beneath their mandible, serving as sensory organs4.

Sadly, the Mary River turtle is currently facing a serious threat of extinction and is ranked 30th among the endangered reptile species3. In the 1960s and 70s, it was very popular as a pet, and more than 15,000 turtles were sold each year, which significantly reduced their numbers1. Moreover, habitat destruction, water pollution, and changes in the river's flow due to human activities such as agricultural development and dam construction have further endangered their survival4. Immediate and effective conservation measures are urgently needed to protect this unique and precious species from disappearing from the earth.