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Conservation Status
Distribution and Habitat
- Tidal and sub-tidal coral and rocky reef
- Tropical to warm temperate areas down to northern New South Wales.
- Feed along east coast, including Great Barrier Reef.
- Also feed in Torres Strait and the archipelagos of the Northern Territory and Western Australia, as far south as Shark Bay.
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Breeding
- Breed throughout the year
- Northern Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and northeastern Arnhem Land including: Milman, Johnson, Bouydong, Bird and Piper Islands in the northern GBR; Aukane, Kabikane, Mimi, Bet, Sassie and Lacey Islands in Torres Strait; and Hawk, North East and Truant Islands.
- Pilbara region, from the Dampier Archipelago including Rosemary, Barrow, Monte Bello and Varanus Islands, the Ningaloo coast and Coral Bay.
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© Allan D. Vandeford |
Nesting
- Peak in the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef region - January to April
- Peak Arnhem Land - July and September.
- Low numbers along Great Barrier Reef, from just north of Princess Charlotte Bay to Torres Strait.
- Northern Territory and Western Australia.
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Hatchlings
- Emerge late December to April
- Peak - February to early March
Characteristics
- Distinctive parrot-like beak
- 4 pairs or more of large scales on either side (costal scales)
- Thick overlapping carapace scales
- Carapace low domed with upturned edges
- Colour olive grey
- Adult carapace approx. 0.8m
Diet
- Sponges, seagrass, algae, soft corals and shellfish.
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© Grant O’Grady |
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