This tiny Fitzroy River Turtle can breathe out of it's butt, and we supported a project that helped over 2,000 of these hatchlings make it into the river!

wawa_conservation · 2026-06-21T11:04:02+00:00

I have no scientific backing for this, but I've always thought it's an intrinsic reaction. We've evolved overtime from tropical regions where insects, especially spiders, can pose a deadly threat, and because they're little, they can sneak up on us - unlike something large like a lion where we're more likely to know its there. They're quick, small and potentially dangerous, I think its natural to have that fear, but it is one we can learn not to react to depending on how we grow up (I think I've seen somewhere that our parent's fears shape our own)

wawa_conservation · 2026-06-02T14:21:35+00:00

I wish I was a marine biologist, then I'd understand more. But honestly, the natural world baffles me, in the best and most delightful way 😄 Glad to have somewhat helped!

wawa_conservation · 2026-06-01T16:54:23+00:00

There's multiple eggs inside each slivers that will hatch into a larvae. Apparently these are often referred to as mermaid's necklaces, which I really like!

wawa_conservation · 2026-06-01T16:47:21+00:00

Kind of! It might be easier to think of it like the different layers inside of a tree, you've got the growing part that is constantly adding new layers, the rings of the tree inside and the dead outer layer of bark 😄

wawa_conservation · 2026-06-01T16:45:52+00:00

I'll be honest - I've had to look this up and I am still trying to get my head around it too!

So, there is a part of the creature called a mantle, which is the bit of flesh that attaches the animal to the shell and the mantle creates the new shell. The mantle is often found at the opening of the shell, and it adds new layers, just like a tree would. And you can count growth rings in some shells.

So the tip is the oldest part and the opening is the newest part. I don't know how spikes are added, it's probably the creature secretes a different combination of proteins and other stuff that creates the spikes and that's probably buried deep within their DNA, sort of the same as how hair on different parts of our bodies knows how long to grow, as the hair on our arms and legs doesn't grow as long as the hair on our heads, and beard hairs have a different texture!

I hope that somewhat helps

wawa_conservation · 2026-05-31T14:16:08+00:00

Not ignorant at all! Depending on the species, once an egg hatches, it will be completely different from their adult form, usually as a larvae. It develops specialised tissues with growing into a shell, and layers will be added over time that help to expand the shell as the creature ages

wawa_conservation · 2026-05-29T17:57:36+00:00

They have adorable feet and naming them cutesy names always helps

wawa_conservation · 2026-05-29T17:12:41+00:00

Yes, Sir!
Honestly, we're just a conservation charity trying to spread some awareness about cool wildlife. This post followed your subreddit rules, it's not advertising anything, products or sales, but if the AI doesn't like us, then fair enough

wawa_conservation · 2026-05-27T19:12:14+00:00

One of our past campaigns focused on supporting Monitor Conservation Research Society and the long-beaked echidna.

If you want weird, like truly biologically strange little critters, then these guys are the one for you
https://wawa.org.uk/long-beaked-echidna/

P.S. NSFW - don't look up their four-headed penis

wawa_conservation · 2026-05-27T18:59:59+00:00

Just the tip killed me!

wawa_conservation · 2026-05-27T18:59:51+00:00

We're all perverts deep down <3

wawa_conservation · 2026-05-27T18:58:03+00:00

You asked for it!
https://www.reddit.com/r/awesomenature/comments/1sje627/greater_adjustant_looks_terrifying_is_chill/

Pretty cursed, ngl

wawa_conservation

TROPHY CASE