AROD > Reptiles / Testudines / Cheloniidae / Natator /
Flatback turtle |
Bowen, Queensland Photo © Stephen Zozaya |
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Natator depressus | ||||||||
Pronunciation | na-TAY-tor dep-PRESS-uss | |||||||
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Etymology |
Natator: Latin for 'swimmer'.
depressus: 'flattened'. |
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Other names | Chelonia depressus | |||||||
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Description | Distribution | Natural history | Conservation | Further information | More photos |
DescriptionGrey or pale grey-green or olive above, the plates of the carapace covered by a thin, fleshy skin in adults. Creamy yellow below, the ventral colour extending on to the sides of the neck and face. Hatchlings olive-green, the margins of the dorsal scutes broadly outlined in black. Head moderate. Three postoculars. Shell broadly oval, more or less heart-shaped, with upturned lateral edges in adults, covered (in adults) by thin skin. Four costal shields on each side. Upper eyelid of small, irregular, subequal scales. Distal half of forelimb with rows of enlarged scales extending along phalanges separated by areas of small, irregular scales or wrinkled skin. One pair of prefrontal scales on head. Similar species
Taxonomic notes |
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Notes and disclaimer
This information may not be complete. While all care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this page, primary sources should always be consulted for definitive information. Animals have an endearing habit of disobeying the rules, so the information on this page should be interpreted with a degree of flexibility. The author and site operator accepts no responsibility for any losses or damages incurred through using this web site or the information contained herein. Don't get bitten by anything! This page may be cited as: Natator depressus at the Australian Reptile Online Database. Last updated 2015-10-28 07:23:14. Retrieved from http://arod.com.au/arod/?species=Natator+depressus on the 29th of March, 2024. Before citing information contained in AROD, please read our Citing AROD page. Copyright notice This page, its content and layout are copyright © 2007-2024 Stewart Macdonald / Ug Media, unless otherwise stated. All photographs in The Australian Reptile Online Database are © the photographer and may not be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the photographer. No part of The Australian Reptile Online Database may be reproduced without written permission from Stewart Macdonald. |