(Gray, 1842)
Victoria short-necked turtle
Recognition
Similar to E. australis, with which it was formerly confused, E. victoriae has an oval, domed carapace (to 30 cm) that is broadest behind the center, and only slightly serrated posteriorly. If present, the medial keel is low. Vertebrals 1 and 5 are broader than long in adults, but vertebrals 2-4 may be as long as broad; the 5th is posteriorly flared. The surfaces of the vertebrals and pleurals are usually smooth in adults. The carapace is brown to blackish or olive-brown with dark dashes and small blotches. The long plastron is narrow (both lobes are about equal in width), and much of the carapacial opening is exposed. The bridge is also narrow. The intergular completely separates the gular scutes, but is usually only slightly longer than broad. The plastral formula is pect > an >< fem > abd > intergul > hum > gul. Plastron and bridge are cream-colored with flushes of salmon-pink. The head is broad (Cogger, 1992, reported that macrocephaly is common) with a slightly projecting snout and an unnotched upper jaw. The hard palate is moderately broad, and the diameter of the mandibular symphysis is greater than the greatest diameter of the orbit. If present, chin barbels are rudimentary. Dorsal surface of the head is smooth; neck tubercles are poorly developed. Head, neck and limbs are brownish gray to olive-gray. On each side of the head are two salmon-colored stripes: one extends from the orbit to the neck and the other from the corner of the mouth to the neck.
Males have longer, thicker tails than do females.
Distribution
Kimberly region of northwestern Australia to vicinity of Darwin, Northern Territory, and adjacent border areas of northwestern Queensland.
Geographic Variation
Unreported.
Habitat
Larger rivers and streams, and large waterholes and billabongs on their floodplains (Cogger, 1992).
Natural History
Unreported.
IUCN Red List Status (1996)
Not listed.