Scientific name: Emydura victoriae
Conservation status: Not evaluated
Carapace length: Up to 30 cm
Weight: 200–420 g
Incubation: about 60–68 days
Number of eggs: 6–18
Distribution: North-west WA and Northern Territory
Habitat: Billabongs and waterholes in the Victoria River and Daly River drainage areas
Description: Also known as the Northern Red-Faced Turtle, young Pink-eared Turtles have a distinctive red stripe that extends from the eye to the back of the head. As the turtle ages, this stripe becomes pale pink and less prominent. Its carapace is olive to brown with dark dashes and blotches, and its limbs and head are a brownish grey to olive grey. It is often a light salmon colour around the abdominal area.
Diet: The Pink-eared Turtle is a carnivore and eats tadpoles, fish, yabbies and other aquatic invertebrates.
In the wild: Very little is known about this species in the wild because of its small distribution. Perth Zoo has bred Pink-eared Turtles successfully and was the first to determine their incubation time and growth rates as the young developed into adults. Turtles were found to mature at a rapid rate with one male reaching adulthood at two-years-old. Despite their small size, females can produce high numbers of eggs.
Threats: The Pink-eared Turtle is under threat due to predation from feral cats and foxes and competition from the introduced Red-eared Turtle.
At Perth Zoo: The Pink-eared Turtle is on display in the Reptile Encounter.
Did you know? The iris of a young Pink-eared Turtle is large and golden-orange in colour. As they age, they lose their eye colour.