Snappy performance: 45kg hulking turtle Leonardo dazzles during annual health check
THE largest alligator snapping turtle in Australia dazzled onlookers during an impromptu show today.
SCHOOL holiday visitors were amazed today when the largest alligator snapping turtle in Australia put on an impromptu show at Somersby’s reptile park.
Leonardo, a 45kg hulk of a turtle aged about 50, was moved last week from his holding tank for his annual health check.
Four keepers were required to lift the half-metre-long park attraction out of his tank to check under his shell for any abnormalities.
Carried to an open grass area by his keepers he then delighted, and frightened, audiences by chomping on a piece of bamboo and snapping it in half.
“Leonardo’s annual health check is one of the most dangerous jobs we have to manage at the park,” Australian Reptile Park general manager Tim Faulkner said.
“His head moves at lightning speed and he is more dangerous to handle than a venomous snake, crocodile or cassowary.”
He was illegally smuggled into Australia and found in a Sydney sewer on November 29, 2000, before being rescued and taken to the Australian Reptile Park, where he lives in The Lost World of Reptiles exhibit.
Alligator snapping turtles are mainly found in South America and can live for more than 100 years. They have a high-protein diet of mainly clams, mussels and other types of shellfish.
“We don’t know the exact age of Leonardo but we think he’s between 40 and 60 years,” Mr Faulkner said.
“He’s absolutely no trouble to look after and can sit in the one comfortable position in his tank for days without moving, providing he’s well fed.”
Leonardo is a mate for another park attraction, Hugo the Galapagos turtle, who will soon turn 65.
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