~ by Roel De Plecker

Besides the large variety of lizards and snakes, our park also houses a diverse collection of turtles, one of which is the Madagascar big-headed turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis).

This species is highly endangered and even hardly occurs in its natural habitat on the island of Madagascar.

That is why we breed these animals and even contribute to a reintroduction program. Also, the Roti Island snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi) is a rarity in the turtle world because it only occurs on Roti Island in Indonesia.

The Fly River or pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) is native to New Guinea and Northern Australia.

They are unlike any other freshwater turtles because instead of feet they have flippers, which resemble those of seawater turtles. From South America, we have the big-headed Amazon River turtle (Peltocephalus dumerilianus), which lives in harmony with lizards and fish from its native habitat. From the Amazon, and definitely one the most bizarre-looking creatures of the world, is the matamata (Chelus fimbriata). The shell of this animal looks like a piece of bark, and its head resembles a fallen leaf.

It waits motionless in the water, relying on its camouflage, until a fish comes close. Then, it opens its large mouth and in a fraction of a second, literally sucks its prey inside; this is called suction feeding. The head of Aubrey’s soft shell turtle from Central Africa looks like a character from the Star Wars movies!

The previous two species are fish eaters. Most turtles have an omnivorous diet; this means they eat both animal and plant matter.

Costa Rican species shown are Neotropical wood turtles (Rhinoclemmys), yellow-eared sliders (Trachemys), and even Costa Rica’s smallest turtle, the narrow-bridged mud turtle (Kinosternon angustipons). All our turtles have a land area where they can make nests and lay their eggs, but our exhibition also allows you to have a view of their life underwater!

INFO: Roel de Plecker - facebook + Instagram - rulito76@yahoo.com