Eats slugs and snails, and uses its bright blue tongue to “taste” the air when feeding. Found in gardens and sometimes seen sunning themselves during the day. The Australian Blue Tongue Skink sheds its skin annually and gives birth to between 8–12 live young.

Plecostomus, also known as Sucker Catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus)

Size: between 15–25cm

Range: South America and Bolivia tributaries

Takes the name from sucking algae from surface of objects. The plecostomus can often seen at the National Aquarium “cleaning” the crocodile enclosure but is hardly noticed as because the fish barely moves.

Tortoise, Turtle and Terrapin

Tortoises generally live on land and have legs for walking whereas turtles are fully aquatic and have flippers for swimming. A Terrapin has legs adopted for swimming and walking on land. River turtles and terrapins soak up oxygen through their skin and can stay under water for days if not active and will hibernate under water during cold periods.

Turtles are graceful saltwater reptiles and can swim long distances in a short time. Very sensitive to sound. Females return to land to lay eggs. Lay as many as 200 eggs but only a handful will survive. They have an excellent sense of smell, hear better at low frequencies, and have good underwater vision but are short sighted on land. Turtles do not have teeth but a modified jaw.

Tortoises belong to the same family as crocodiles, alligators and lizards, and can live for more than 100 years.

Snake Eating Twin Hinged Tortoise (Cuora flavomarginata)

Size: ave 130–150mm

Range: China, Ryukyu Island

Now an endangered species because they were previously caught and sold as a food speciality. They can live at reasonably high altitudes, preferring ponds and flooded rice fields, eating frogs and juvenile snakes. In captivity they eat worms and petfood. This snake eating twin hinged tortoise can seal itself within the shell for protection from predators. The bottom shell has a hinge which is able to close the front and back sections. It doesn’t swim but can live in shallow water.

Fresh Water Australian Terrapins, snake-necked or long-necked) (Chelodina longicollis)

Size: 12–24 cm

Range: native to Australia

These have a long neck and live mainly in dirty water, keeping their nostrils and eyes just above the surface, feeding mainly on small fish. They are also good climbers. Fresh water Australian terrapins are inquisitive and make great pets because of their quirky personalities. They tuck themselves up, pulling their neck in sideways for protection against predators.