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White Bellied Snapping Turtle

White Bellied Snapping Turtle ... Elseya cf. branderhorsti

By Tom Halvorsen.

Turtles are perhaps one of the most appealing species of the reptile world and the White Bellied Snapping Turtle is no exception. An amazingly cute turtle originating from the Western Province of Papua New Guinea and Southern Irian Jaya, Indonesia.

Fairly undemanding in terms of husbandry in captivity this large slow growing chelonian species will reach an adult size in access of 16".

Sexes are not easily determined until they reach a carapace size of approx 10" which is when sexual maturity is reached. A common misconception is that the sexes can be distinguished by the colour of the shell, this just isn't true.

A comparison of the tails, will give some insight to it's gender, males having a longer tail that is broader at the base. A second method involves the cloacal opening. The cloacal opening of the male turtle is lower on the tail whereas the females is much closer to the base of the tail.