Elseya albagula (White-throated Snapping Turtle)

Conservation Status:
Genus:

Home > Turtle Database > Elseya albagula (White-throated Snapping Turtle)

Elseya albagula is a freshwater turtle species primarily found in rivers of eastern Australia. Known for its distinctive pale throat, this species plays an essential role in maintaining river ecosystems. Its conservation is critical due to various threats from human activities.

Other related species

Native Turtle Species Map – Find Turtles by Region

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Chelidae
  • Genus: Elseya
  • Species: Elseya albagula

Common Names

  • White-throated snapping turtle
  • Southern snapping turtle

This Hilarious Turtle Book Might Know Your Pet Better Than You Do

Let’s be honest—most turtle care guides are dry, boring, and full of the same basic advice.

This one is different.

Told from the snarky, judgmental point of view of a grumpy turtle, 21 Turtle Truths You’ll Never Read in a Care Guide dishes out real behavior insights with sarcasm, honesty, and a whole lot of side-eye.

It’s part funny, part useful, and 100% relatable if you’ve ever owned a turtle who stares at you like you’re doing everything wrong.

🛒 Grab the ebook here – just $4.99 for turtle wisdom and sass in one package.

You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll never look at your turtle the same way again.

Identification

  • Description: Elseya albagula has a broad, oval-shaped shell that is typically dark brown to black. Its most distinguishing feature is its white throat, which contrasts sharply with its dark carapace and limbs. The plastron is often lighter in color.
  • Sexual Dimorphism: Males are generally smaller than females, with larger tails. Females can reach up to 35 cm in length, while males average around 25 cm.

Native Origin and Distribution

  • Geographical Range: This species is endemic to eastern Australia, particularly in the Mary, Burnett, and Fitzroy river systems of Queensland.

Preferred Habitat

Elseya albagula thrives in slow-moving freshwater environments such as rivers, creeks, and waterholes. It prefers areas with abundant aquatic vegetation and sandy or muddy riverbeds for basking and feeding.

Behavior

  • Feeding Habits: This turtle is omnivorous, feeding primarily on aquatic plants, fruits, and small invertebrates like insects, mollusks, and fish.
  • Predators: Natural predators include birds of prey, large fish, and crocodiles. Hatchlings are particularly vulnerable to predation by birds and introduced species like foxes.

Reproduction

  • Breeding Season: The breeding season typically occurs from September to December.
  • Reproductive Method: Females lay clutches of 10–15 eggs in sandy riverbanks. Incubation takes around 70–90 days, and the temperature determines the sex of the hatchlings.

Conservation

  • Extinction Status: Elseya albagula is classified as Endangered due to habitat destruction and declining populations.
  • Threats: The primary threats include habitat degradation from dam construction, pollution, and predation by invasive species.
  • Conservation Measures: Efforts include habitat restoration, protection of nesting sites, and breeding programs in captivity.

Economic Importance

Elseya albagula has minimal direct economic importance but plays a crucial ecological role by helping to maintain healthy river ecosystems, which are vital for industries like agriculture and tourism.

Interesting Facts

  • This species is one of the few turtles that can breathe through its cloaca, allowing it to remain submerged for extended periods.
  • The white-throated snapping turtle has powerful jaws, capable of delivering a strong bite when threatened.

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.