#big-headed turtle

[natureisthegreatestartist]

What are these creatures? They are big-headed turtles (Platysternon megacephalum), which are native to Southeast Asia and China. Weird and wonderful, yes?

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Hey, could you share some facts about pig-nosed or big-headed turtles? I find them really interesting

I actually made a post a while ago about big-headed turtles- you can read it here!

I got to work with these guys once, and they were pretty fun! Very bitey; those beaks can really pack a punch. Also, when they've been in water for a while, they start to grow algae all over their heads and shells. It doesn't hurt them at all, but it does make them look even more prehistoric!

As for the pig-nosed turtles (Carettochelys insculpta), I can absolutely share some more facts about them! With those looks, they need all the love they can get.

(Image: A pig-nosed turtle via the Australian Department of Parks & Wildlife)

Its unusual nose has a purpose; it allows the turtle to breathe air while the rest of its body remains submerged and safe from predators. The nose is also quite sensitive, and can detect prey from chemical cues in the murky rivers in which the turtle lives.

Part of the reason for the pig-nosed turtle's apparence comes from its impressive lineage. It is the sole member of its family, Carettochelyidae, and it's believed that this branch evolved some 140 million years ago-- about 70 million years before the dinosaurs went extinct!

The Fly River turtles are among the more social turtle species; wherever they are found, it is usually in large aggregations, particularly in the colder winter months.

Lastly, during their incubation period, embryos will create vibrations to communicate with the other eggs in their clutch! These vibrations allow the embryos to speed up or slow down their development so that, when the time comes, all the members of a clutch will hatch at the same time.

(Image: A brand-new pig-nosed turtle hatchling by Gerard Visser & Henk Zwartepoorte)

[turtle-tuesdays]

Big-headed Turtle

Latin name: Platysternon megacephalum

Size: shell size up to 20 cm (7.87 inches)

Diet: carnivorous (mostly fishes, snails and worms)

Habitat: Cambodia, Laos, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam

Population status: endangered

Turtley facts:

due to it´s headsize, this turtleis unable to pull its head into its shell

when threatened, the big-headed turtle will bite its predator to defend itself

it is also known to climb bushes and trees, but isn´t a good swimmer

its strong tail is very long- almost the same length as its body!

source source 2

Pics:

[inth3world]

Go look them up. Even the adults are adorable. You will not be disappointed

Big-headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum), hatchling, family Platysternidae, southern China

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.

This particular individual is aberrantly colored. They are usually brownish or green.

photograph by 嗜烟如命的我

[goodforwho]

I felt SO robbed after reading the script omg like WE COULD'VE HAD THIS DIALOGUE AND BIG BROTHER MIKEY *sobs*

Anyways, good thing I'm an artist because I can at least bring one scene to life!

[stormy-nights-are-best]

They look like box turtles. Because of the head and shell shape. My immediate thought was they'd be a three-toed box turtle since they're plain colored with no spots or patterns anywhere, BUT

They obviously have more than three toes. And the plastron looks nothing like any kind of box turtle's.

New lead: MUSK TURTLES!!!

[torturedblue]

Hate how much this shot…

reminds me of this shot:

Cue protective brothers intervening under the cut

This movie fucked us up huh 😀

[oshurook]

His head is so flat???

Big-headed turtle Platysternon megacephalum (or big headed turtle) is a very odd-shaped turtle with a huge head and a long tail that are almost the same size as its body.

[abbeyofcyn]

I fell asleep in the afternoon and had my first rottmnt dream...

Don't recall everything and couldn't do it justice but had to sketch a few images that were stuck after I woke up.

[i-got-da-rubes]

The artists cannot tell me that that’s a two year difference

WAIT THIS MUST BE WHY HE’S AFRAID OF BEACHBALLS-

[thr-333]

Leo: No guys listen- I'm totally the cool big brother- I will absolutely let you go on(supervised) hero missions- wait no not that one!

[starry-eyed-adam]

medical bills and lawyer’s rates are high… and Amaia’s flashy and talented enough to get the attention of enough crowds to send her all the way to New York for a competition!

she just has to be careful about who’s offering her pay.

[justgoji]

Saw someone disrespecting these two species so I drew them out of pure spite

Also these two species are beautiful turtles they’re not hellspawn they’re precious little angels in shells remember that

[jadetheblueartist]

New au starting to spin around my head: an odyssey inspired story where Big Mama was in love with Lou and didn’t force him to fight but draxum stole him anyway and he went missing for years and you know the odyssey gist but Big Mama feels compelled to marry for idk politics or something so the suitors are there and yeah this is all in an attempt for my brain to link one fixation (epic the musical, specifically the unreleased song “the challenge”) to another (rottmnt)

[saltingthecookingwine]

It’s fun when a animal truly embodies its name. Excellent work, baby big-headed turtles. I hope you stay alive and have tons of babies and save your species.

Big-headed Turtles (Platysternon megacephalum), hatchlings, family Platysternidae, found in SE Asia

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.

photograph by Cris Hagen

[meowuff]

Brain needs distraction after studying for 5h straight?

Here! Have a new baby turble! :D