New Guinea snapping turtle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New Guinea snapping turtle
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Pleurodira
Family:	Chelidae
Genus:	Elseya
Subgenus:	Hanwarachelys
Species:	E. novaeguineae
Binomial name
Elseya novaeguineae (Meyer, 1874:128)
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Synonyms
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The Western New Guinea stream turtle or New Guinea snapping turtle (Elseya novaeguineae) is a type of freshwater turtle. It belongs to the Chelidae family. These turtles are often called "side-necked turtles." This is because they pull their heads into their shells by bending their necks sideways.

You can find this turtle in the western parts of New Guinea. Specifically, it lives in the Bird's Head Peninsula and the Bomberai Peninsula. These areas are west of Cenderawasih Bay. It also lives on the island of Waigeo in West Papua, Indonesia.

About Its Name and Family

Scientists often group living things into families and types. This helps us understand how different animals are related. The Western New Guinea stream turtle's scientific name is Elseya novaeguineae.

How Scientists Classify Turtles

For a short time, this turtle was placed in a different group called Myuchelys. But after more study, scientists decided it belonged back in the Elseya group. This shows how science can change as new information is found.

Scientists also thought another turtle, Elseya schultzei, was the same as this one. However, recent studies proved they are actually different species. The Western New Guinea stream turtle is now part of a new smaller group. This group is called a subgenus, and its name is Hanwarachelys. This subgenus also includes Elseya schultzei and Elseya rhodini.

See also

• Yolarnie Amepou