Carettochelys insculpta

Alternative names

 * Pig-Nosed Turtle,, , ,

Sexing

 * These Turtles are difficult to sex until they are mature. Females will have a more domed carapax and males will have thicker stronger tail. Mature females will also be larger and males will be more aggressive and will neck-bite females and rival males.

Tank compatibility

 * These Turtles can be aggressive, especially towards other Pig-Nosed Turtles. They are best kept in species tanks, one to a tank. They have been known to work with large peaceful robust fish such as Giant Gouramis provided the tank is very large.

Diet

 * An omnivorous Turtle with a preference for vegetarian foods. They will appreciate food such as fresh fruit including banana, kiwi and figs, as well as supplementing with pellets designed for Turtles, fish pieces and insect larvae. Cuttlebone will be taken by some animals to improve their calcium metabolism.

Feeding regime

 * Feed once or twice a day, they have a good appetite and will even beg for food. Their diet should be well balanced but lean towards a more vegetarian one as that's what their digestive system is best designed for.

Environment Specifics

 * This Turtle is designed for fully aquatic life. The tank should be very large with plenty of lateral swimming room as they become more active as they mature. Substrate should be sandy and any décor very secure and provide suitable hiding places should the Turtle require it. The tank should be well filtered. Any equipment, such as heaters, filters, light fightings and thermometers should be reinforced in casing so as not to be damaged as this Turtle moves around the tank. They can be sensitive to fungal infections so regular water changes are a must.

Behaviour

 * An active fully-aquatic Turtle which can be quite aggressive towards other Turtles and has strong jaws capable of inflicting serious injury.

Identification

 * A distinctive and unusual freshwater Turtle in that it has modified legs into flippers much like it's marine Turtle cousins. It is grey in colour with a pale belly. It has a very pig-like snout giving it its common name.