# Emydura macquarii krefftii The Krefft's River Turtle is a friendly turtle that loves to swim in rivers and lakes. It has a beautiful shell and enjoys basking in the sun on warm rocks. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and lakes - **Also known as:** Australian River Turtle, Krefft's Turtle ![Emydura macquarii krefftii](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Krefft's_River_Turtle2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Vicki Nunn, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Krefft's_River_Turtle2.jpg) ## Appearance The Emydura macquarii krefftii has a smooth, oval-shaped shell, typically olive to dark brown, with a creamy underside. Its most striking feature is the bright yellow stripe extending from behind the eye, across the temple, and down the neck, contrasting with its darker skin. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Family:** Chelidae - **Genus:** Emydura ## Interesting facts - Its bright yellow neck stripes are like a secret identity mask! - Krefft's River Turtles love to bask in the sun to warm their bodies! - Some turtles live longer than your grandparents do! - They can spend winter buried in river mud, called brumation! ## Special abilities - **Aquatic Breath Holding:** Emydura macquarii krefftii can breathe underwater using special cloacal bursae, allowing them to stay submerged for extended periods to forage and hide. - **Hard Shell Defense:** Emydura macquarii krefftii has a robust, streamlined shell that helps protect it from predators and aids in efficient swimming through water. - **Rapid Retreat Reflex:** Emydura macquarii krefftii can quickly retract its head and limbs into its shell, providing instant protection from sudden threats. - **River Navigation:** Emydura macquarii krefftii can navigate strong river currents thanks to its webbed feet and flat, hydrodynamic shell, helping it find food. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-30 cm - **Weight:** 1-3 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-35 years - **Clutch Size:** 10-20 - **Incubation:** 60-80 days ## Diet & Feeding An omnivore, it enjoys a varied menu of plants, insects, and small aquatic animals from its freshwater home. - **Age differences:** Younger turtles eat more protein (insects); adults consume more plants and algae. - **Primary Foods:** Aquatic plants, Algae, Insects, Small fish, Crustaceans, Tadpoles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Mosquito Fish (*Gambusia holbrooki*) — Main food source for juveniles - **Eats:** [Parrot's Feather](https://www.snappit.app/explore/parrots-feather) (*Myriophyllum aquaticum*) — Common aquatic plant food - **Eaten by:** Lace Monitor (*Varanus varius*) — Preys on eggs and hatchlings - **Eaten by:** [Osprey](https://www.snappit.app/explore/osprey) (*Pandion haliaetus*) — Hunts juvenile turtles ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch turtles from a distance and don't try to touch them in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Emydura macquarii krefftii? Compare scales, body proportions, legs, tail and shell, if there is one. Many reptiles change their look with age, temperature or breeding condition. Reptile Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Emydura macquarii krefftii? 20-30 cm ### How much does Emydura macquarii krefftii weigh? 1-3 kg ### How long does Emydura macquarii krefftii live? 20-35 years ### What does Emydura macquarii krefftii eat? An omnivore, it enjoys a varied menu of plants, insects, and small aquatic animals from its freshwater home. ### Where is Emydura macquarii krefftii usually found? Freshwater rivers and lakes ### How does Emydura macquarii krefftii hunt? Foraging ### How many eggs does Emydura macquarii krefftii lay? 10-20 ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Emydura macquarii krefftii: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/emydura-macquarii-krefftii)