Fraser Island Turtles
There are turtles on Fraser Island in both the fresh water lakes as well as on the beaches and in the sand dunes. The Eastern Long-necked Turtle is found in the freshwater lakes of Fraser Island. These turtles grow to about 25 centimetres in length and have a reddish-brown tinge on the tops of their shells. Underneath their bodies is light cream in colour with distinctive black lines crossing over their under-shell and they have a greyish head and limbs. They also have a very strong jaw that can produce both a nasty bite as well as a being good for tearing apart large pieces of flesh. Strong webbed claws are good on rough surfaces and for swimming. The neck of the Eastern Long-necked turtle can sometimes be as long as the shell itself. It is tucked into the front and side of the shell in times of danger and when the turtle wants to strike at fish or prey, it uses the neck to strike like a snake. The lakes of Fraser Island are an ideal habitat for the Eastern Long-necked turtle as they love having a soft sandy ground to stand on in the water, which is where they spend the majority of their time. Apart from tucking their heads into their shells, the long-necked turtle can produce a pungent stench when startled or nervous.
Green Sea Turtle