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Saw-shell Tortoise - Elseya Latisternum

Distribution -
The Saw-shell Tortoise inhabits rivers, swamps and lagoons on the eastern coast of Queensland from north of Cooktown to the New South Wales border. It is known to occur on the Atherton Tableland at an altitude of 1000 metres and is also abundant in the Flinders River system running into the Gulf of Carpentaria.

A Saw-shell Tortoise (Elseya Latisternum) from the
Burnett River, QLD.

Description -
The Saw-shell Tortoise is one species where problems of identification often arise, as there are several distinctive variations occurring within its distribution. It may also be confused with the Snapping Tortoise, particularly when comparing both species in their juvenile stages. An obvious feature of the Saw-shell Tortoise, absent in the Snapping Tortoise, is the extension of the head shield downwards on either side of the head towards the typanum. In this way the two tortoises can be readily distinguished.

The carapace of the young is strongly keeled and the rear marginals are serrated. This latter characteristic remains throughout life. The carapace of the adult is very depressed and aged specimens often have a vertebral groove. The colour is deep orange to brown with darker blotches. The plastron is moderately large and has dark pigmentation on the edge of the shields. The neck is short and has large, erect, pointed tubercles.

The dark phase of a Saw-shell Tortoise (Elseya
Latisternum) from Baramabah Creek QLD.

Habits -
The Saw-shell Tortoise grows to a length of 28cm. In captivity it proves to one of the hardiest species, surviving outdoors throughout the year in Sydney. It shows no particular preference in its food and rarely suffers from the complaints to which many other species are prone in captivity. This tortoise can be very aggressive when provoked, and some will occasionally emit a strong-smelling defence odour.

Little has been recorded on the nesting habits of this species, although nesting takes place on the Burnett, Raglan, South Johnstone and Fitzroy Rivers in Queensland during the months of September and October, when nine to seventeen eggs are deposited.