Ngarderrhwo (snapping turtles) live in freshwater rivers and waterholes. We eat ngarderrhwo, as we do ngalmangiyi (long-necked turtles). Ngarderrhwo is often called “short necked turtle” to distinguish it from ngalmangiyi, which has a long, snake like neck. Ngarderrhwo eats small animals like wakih (freshwater shrimp) and water weeds. We also eat the pig-nosed turtle, known as warradjan.

Ngalbu ngarderrhwo ngalka kadjalre kore kubowinjku kukku. Kore mankabo dja manlabbarl karohrok yiman ngalmangiyi bu ngarringun. Ngalmangiyi ngalka ngalkomkuyeng dja ngarderrhwo ngalkomdjumbung dja mayh yerrih bu ngarringun nawu bininj ngad ngarrikukburlerri. Ngarderrhwo kangun mayh kilekilelh yiman wakih dja kunbak. Danjbik nawu mayh ngalbu ngarringun Ngalmangiyi Ngarderrhwo Warradjan nawu kubowinjku kukku kabirrire.

(Text: Andrew Manakgu)