Western Sawshelled Turtle, Bell's Turtle - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Myuchelys bellii

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 10 Jan 1997

Profile last updated: 23 Feb 2024

Description

Bell's Turtle belongs to a group known as the saw-shelled turtles, referring to the saw-toothed rear edge of the upper shell. The head and neck are shorter in length than the shell, unlike the more common Snake-necked Turtle. A yellow stripe runs along the jaw and throat; the neck has many tiny tubercles. In adults, the underside of the shell is dark grey to black. Currently listed by the Commonwealth as Woolumbinia belli, referred to by the IUCN as Endangered under Elseya bellii, but most recent research is being published under Myuchelys bellii.

Distribution

In NSW, currently found in four disjunct populations in the upper reaches of the Namoi, Gwydir and Border Rivers systems, on the escarpment of the North West Slopes. A separate small population exists in Queensland and though disjunct, recent studies indicate all populations are the same subspecies. Recent surveys have demonstrated that the species is more widely distributed than formerly thought, locally abundant in some areas yet also sparse in habitat that appears suitable.

Habitat and ecology

Shallow to deep pools in upper reaches or small tributaries of major rivers in granite country. Occupied pools are most commonly less than 3 m deep with rocky or sandy bottoms and patches of vegetation.
Most typically uses narrow stretches of rivers 30 - 40 m wide. Most surrounding habitat has been converted to grazing land.
Nests are dug out in riverbanks of sand or loam during late September to January. Eggs take 80 days to hatch and are thus vulnerable to nest predation for an extended period.
Primarily a vegetarian, eating both aquatic plants and terrestrial leaves that fall into the watercourse. Also takes invertebrates ranging from insects to crayfish, other small animals and carrion.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Pollution and sedimentation of river habitat.
Trampling and damage to river banks and riverside vegetation by grazing stock.
Changes to natural stream flows through removal of water for irrigation.
Predation on eggs by foxes, goannas and feral pigs.
Predation on eggs by pigs
Predation on hatchlings by exotic fish species
An unidentified disease causing cataracts and blindness, which potentially limits nutrition and reproduction.
Hybridisation and competitive displacement by the apparently introduced population of Macquarie Turtles, Emydura macquarii, in Copeton Reservoir, which will spread further into Bell’s Turtle habitat.
Potential transference of the unidentified disease that has killed large numbers of Myuchelys georgesi in the Bellinger River.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Support local Landcare groups.
Assist with the control of foxes near breeding habitats during summer and autumn.
Protect streams and rivers from pollution.
Fence riversides to protect from grazing stock and provide stock watering points away from rivers.
Retain and restore native riverbank vegetation to protect water quality and nesting sites.
Support catchment management initiatives aiming to maintain or restore natural river flows.
Report any sightings of Bell's Turtle to the OEH.
Determine the threat posed by the expansion of introduced Emydura turtles into Bell's Turtle habitat..

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
NSW Scientific Committee (1997) Bell's Turtle - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2008) Commonwealth Conservation Advice on Elseya belli (Bell's Turtle). Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Nandewar	Inverell Basalts	Predicted	None
Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Predicted	None
Nandewar	Peel	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Beardy River Hills	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Bundarra Downs	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Deepwater Downs	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Eastern Nandewars	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Glenn Innes-Guyra Basalts	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Moredun Volcanics	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Severn River Volcanics	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Stanthorpe Plateau	Known	Within Bald Rock National arkP or within 5 km buffer of the Park
New England Tablelands	Tenterfield Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Tingha Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Walcha Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Yarrowyck-Kentucky Downs	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None

Images

Bell's Turtle
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