Australian 'genital-breathing' turtle faces extinction, group says

[Musky]

(CNN)An Australian river turtle with a distinctive green punk-rock hairstyle, two spikes under its chin and the ability to breathe through its genitals is on a new list of endangered reptiles.

The Mary River turtle, native to Queensland, Australia, has the unusual ability to breathe underwater through specialized glands in its cloaca -- a posterior opening for excretion and reproduction.

This biological function allows the turtle -- referred to as a "butt breather" -- to stay underwater for up to three days. That ability also usually provides these turtles with a vibrant green mohawk, the result of algae growing on their heads because of the extended time spent submerged.

 

Read more here:

 

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/12/asia/mary-river-turtle-endangered-intl/index.html

[LeslieDean]

Well, well. I don’t know quite what to say.  Except I could have guessed and been correct about who posted this bit of information! Lolololol

[Ahuvah]

I'm going to be very good in this thread and show compassion for the REAL turtles in this story.  (Although I've never really delved into what type of turtles live on this site ... I won't go there). 

However, it's a shame that one has get to know about these unusual animals because they are going extinct. Shame on mankind.

[rocket]

When it mentioned "endangered," I immediately thought of Tortuga.  

[rocket]

 

[hatcheckgirl]

Something warm and fuzzy about that turtle.

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

Something warm and fuzzy about that turtle.

Yep. Algae

Older
{still waiting for the 'Wiser'}

[hatcheckgirl]

Touché!

 

 

 

[Tortuga]

I think she's cute..

[Musky]

26 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

I think she's cute..

She's just your type too!

 

[Brother_Bliss]

A butt-breathing turtle, eh? I imagine this was created by the same mischievous angel who came up with the duck-billed platypus 

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

A butt-breathing turtle, eh? I imagine this was created by the same mischievous angel who came up with the duck-billed platypus 

And don't forget that the Platypus has a killer poisoned barb as well... mischievous indeed!

Older
{still waiting for the 'Wiser'}

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

More cuddly Australian animals

(The one on the right!)

Older
{still waiting for the 'Wiser'}

[Sylv]

13 hours ago, TonyWenz said:

More cuddly Australian animals

(The one on the right!)

Older
{still waiting for the 'Wiser'}
 

What is that thing (the one on the right  )

[hatcheckgirl]

It’s a Spiny Ant Eater,or Echidna. It is a monotreme, like he platypus, in that it lays eggs, but is warm blooded. It has spikes on its hind legs. Watch, don’t touch! Cute, hey?

 

Edited April 17, 2018 by hatcheckgirl

[Tortuga]

2 minutes ago, hatcheckgirl said:

It’s a Spiny Ant Eater,or Echidna. It is a monotreme, like he platypus, in that it lays eggs, but is warm blooded. It has spikes on its hind legs. Watch, don’t touch! Cute, hey?

 

 

Wow, in the NS you can play with one and not get hurt, right? 

[EccentricM]

On 17/04/2018 at 6:47 AM, TonyWenz said:

More cuddly Australian animals


 

I think it's amazing how animals show instinct for danger. Nobody has to teach them what "sharp" objects are, or that they can't breath underwater/out the water. They don't have to test these things to find out. I actually can't recall learning myself about water not being breathable, I've just always known, are we born with this knowing?