Freddie is a Bronx Zoo favorite. This past July, he turned the big 5-0.
Freddy the Fly River turtle is a favorite resident at the Bronx Zoo. He’s a half-century old, making him the oldest known member of his species.
Fly River turtles are native to Southern New Guinea, Indonesia’s Irian Jaya province and Northern Australia. They can be found in rivers, lagoons and estuaries, which are coastal bodies of water in which rivers or streams flow, such as the mouth of a river. These are perfect for turtles, since they live on both land and in water.
Fly River turtles – named for the Fly River in Papua New Guinea – are also known as pig-nosed turtles because they have swine-like snouts. They are omnivores, eating crustaceans and insect larvae, but they feed mostly on plants like mangrove fruit. They are shy creatures by nature, but are aggressive toward other members of their species. They do well in community environments and are curious and playful.
Fly River turtles are gray with different shades of brown on the top, and yellow, white and off-white on the underside. They have light-colored jaws and a streak over the eye.
These soft-shelled turtles are well-equipped for both land and water. Their paddle-shaped limbs each have two claws.
They are the only freshwater turtles with flippers, which are usually found on
saltwater sea turtles. The top of the tail has a single line of scales. Males have larger tales than females – a good way to tell them apart.
Fly River turtles lay up to 40 eggs. Females in a community sometimes lay their eggs in the same nest. The eggs will hatch after about 60 to 70 days. Nesting time is during the months of September through November. The
gender of the babies is decided from the temperature of the nest. A hot nest will result in more females, while a cooler one will result in more males.
Although Fly River Turtles are common, their habitat is endangered. They are also
hunted as a delicacy in New Guinea and Australia. Feral water buffaloes, which use the same riverbanks, can trample the nests. Because of these threats, the turtle is listed as “vulnerable.”
Freddy’s reputation as a zoo fave is well earned. He is not shy. He is charismatic and smart. His keeper, Melissa Mohring, began training Freddy seven years ago to keep him active. He will come and get a treat on command. His treat of choice is a turtle biscuit or a slice of frozen banana. Also, the training makes him easier to handle for medical exams. Fly River turtles can tip the scales at 50 pounds, but Freddy is a svelte 17.
Freddy’s birthday was shared with four baby turtles that were about the size of a silver-dollar at birth.
The Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo saves animals and their habitats, and is involved in turtle conservation in Asia. Softshell turtles, like Freddy, are especially vulnerable.
Recently in China, an 80-year-old female and a 100-year-old-plus male were introduced as a last hope for the critically endangered Yangtze
softshell turtle. The female did lay eggs, but none hatched. Zookeepers will try again during next year’s mating season.
But you won’t have to go to China, New Guinea or Australia to see a turtle star. Go visit Freddy at the Bronx Zoo. Call (718) 367-1010 for more information.
ELA 1c, 3c, 3d, 5a, Science 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d
Social Studies 3
Photo Courtesy of the
Wildlife Conservation Society
New York Post Activities
USE the Internet or other reference source to learn more about turtles, especially Fly River and other softshell turtles, like Freddy.
USE a map or globe to find the homes of the turtles listed in today’s lesson.
ALL turtles are not created equal. Make a list of differences between turtles like Freddy and other species that you’ll discover during your research.
SEE the talented Freddy ham it up at http://www.bronxzoo.com/look-and-learn/podcasts/ episode-5.aspx
Teachers: For more information about the New YorkPost’s Classroom Extra program, contact Customer Service at 1-212-801-0100. Today’s lesson can be found in Classroom Extra at nypost.com.