The Elusor macrurus turtle (Mary River turtle) lives in the Mary River in Australia and is listed as an endangered species by the Zoological Society of London.
Turtle Mary is known for its unusual appearance, which owes to the algae growing on the head and body of the reptile. In addition, Elusor macrurus has a strange arrangement of gill slits - next to the cloaca, so it is believed that it breathes through the genitals. Nevertheless, the gills allow her to spend up to three days under water, hiding from hunters.
The Mary turtles are included in a separate list of Edge reptiles, which is used to guide conservation priorities. The Guardian quotes zoologist Ricky Gumbs commenting: “The conservation of reptiles is generally overlooked compared to mammals or birds. Edge's separate list fills this gap. The Edge also includes the arboreal Mascarene boa constrictor from the island of Mauritius, the Gangetic gavial, and the little brukesia (a 2.5 cm chameleon).
Tatiana Lehatkova