[7] It is a side-necked turtle (Pleurodira), meaning that it bends its head sideways into its shell rather than pulling it directly back.

Where these turtles come in contact with Chelodina canni they freely hybridise, exhibiting hybrid vigor in the Styx River Drainage of Queensland.

The neck has numerous small pointed tubercles and is grey to black in color dorsally, cream below, as is the narrow head.

[7] When it feels threatened, this turtle will emit an offensive smelling fluid from its musk glands.

This includes insects, worms, tadpoles, frogs, small fish, crustaceans, molluscs, plankton, and carrion.