Conservation Status

  • National: Endangered

Distribution and Habitat

  • Coral reefs, bays and estuaries
  • Tropical and warm temperate waters off the coast of Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales.

Breeding

  • Mating starts late October
  • Peak - November to early December

Nesting

  • Nest late October to early March
  • Peak late December
  • Southern Great Barrier Reef and adjacent mainland costal areas, including Bundaberg, Wreck Island, Erskine Island, Tryon Island, Wreck Rock beach and Pryce Cay.
  • Western Australia - Muiron Islands and Shark Bay.
    
© John Easley
 
Hatchlings
  • Emerge late December to April
  • Peak - February to early March

Characteristics

  • 5 pairs (rarely 6) of large scales on each side (costal scales)
  • Carapace longer than wide
  • Colour red-brown to brown
  • Adult carapace approx. 1.0m

Diet

  • Carnivorous, feeding mostly on shellfish, crabs, sea urchins and jellyfish.
    
© DEC Exmouth