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Homescience

Meet the unique turtle of Australia that breathes through its bum

A bizarre Australian creature hides an ability that defies expectations. It stays underwater for hours using an unusual body part, sports a punk-like look and carries one of nature’s strangest survival secrets.

Sheetal Kumari | November 06, 2025 / 13:38 IST
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Meet Australia's bizarre bum-breathing turtle by Matt Davis, Swinburne University of Technology (Image: Canva)
Meet Australia's bizarre bum-breathing turtle by Matt Davis, Swinburne University of Technology (Image: Canva)
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The Mary River Turtle: Native to Queensland, the Mary River Turtle is one of Australia's most unusual reptiles, with an ability peculiar to almost every other species of turtle. (Image: Chris Van Wyk/@Weird_AnimaIs/X)
The Mary River Turtle: Native to Queensland, the Mary River Turtle is one of Australia's most unusual reptiles, with an ability peculiar to almost every other species of turtle. (Image: Chris Van Wyk/@Weird_AnimaIs/X)
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It breathes through its rear: This rare turtle uses a process called cloacal respiration, pulling oxygen from water through its backside and helping it stay underwater for long stretches without surfacing. (Image: Canva)
It breathes through its rear: This rare turtle uses a process called cloacal respiration, pulling oxygen from water through its backside and helping it stay underwater for long stretches without surfacing. (Image: Canva)
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A survival advantage: Breathing underwater enables it to hide from predators, save energy, and remain still for hours on end. It is an especially useful ability in slow-moving river habitats. (Image: Canva)
A survival advantage: breathing underwater enables it to hide from predators, save energy, and remain still for hours on end. It is an especially useful ability in slow-moving river habitats. (Image: Canva)
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The punk hair look: Algae often grows on its head, giving it a natural green mohawk; this wild look makes for ideal camouflage and camouflages it perfectly into murky river settings. (Image: Chris Van Wyk/@qikipedia/X)
The punk hair look: Algae often grows on its head, giving it a natural green mohawk; this wild look makes for ideal camouflage and camouflages it perfectly into murky river settings. (Image: Chris Van Wyk/@qikipedia/X)
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Fast swimmer, slow breather: It prefers still or slow-moving water but is actually remarkably agile. The turtle can stay submerged up to 72 hours depending on temperature and activity levels. (Image: Canva)
Fast swimmer, slow breather: It prefers still or slow-moving water but is actually remarkably agile. The turtle can stay submerged up to 72 hours depending on temperature and activity levels. (Image: Canva)
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Endangered species: Listed as endangered, the species is threatened by habitat loss, poor water quality, and past over-collection for the exotic pet trade during the 1960s and 70s. (Image: Chris Van Wyk/ @Weird_AnimaIs/X)
Endangered species: Listed as endangered, the species is threatened by habitat loss, poor water quality, and past over-collection for the exotic pet trade during the 1960s and 70s. (Image: Chris Van Wyk/@Weird_AnimaIs/X)
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Conservation efforts: Today, wildlife groups and researchers in Australia focus on habitat protection, breeding programmes, and restoring river health in hopes that the species will rebound. (Image: Chris Van Wyk/@qikipedia/X)
Conservation efforts: Today, wildlife groups and researchers in Australia focus on habitat protection, breeding programmes, and restoring river health in hopes that the species will rebound. (Image: Chris Van Wyk/@qikipedia/X)

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