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#39 Mary River Turtle Mystery Cache

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Hidden : 8/7/2015
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

The cache is NOT at the posted cords!

Please do not attempt to go there!



Almost all of the caches in this series are 2WD drive accessible. There are a few that are down spur roads that are an easy walk. Remember, there is NO cell service out there, so don't take chances! Many areas of the Osceola can be wet, so please remember to bring boots!

I found a spot in the Osceola for a cute turtle geoart.

To find the cords for the true location of the caches, just answer the easy questions about turtles.

 

Mary River Turtle

This distinctive species of freshwater turtle was only described by scientists in 1994 from the Mary River in the hinterland of the Brisbane region. As a fully grown adult it is probably our largest freshwater turtle, and it is intriguing how it escaped notice by herpetologists for so long.

- See more at: http://australianmuseum.net.au/mary-river-turtle#sthash.tKLCPlCx.dpuf

Today the Mary River Turtle is one of the most endangered turtles in the world. It’s listed as an endangered species internationally by the IUCN and by both the Queensland and Australian governments.  Though found only in south-east Queensland’s Mary River, which flows through the subtropical city of Maryborough, many Australians would be more familiar with the species than they realise: thousands of tiny hatchlings were sold as “penny turtles” throughout the country during the 1960s and ’70s. Back then, no-one knew these belonged to a species found in only one river and that their sale – often as Christmas gifts due to their hatching time – was nudging the species towards extinction.  Though images are scarce, the Mary river turtle (Elusor macrurus) often looks like a Chia Pet! This particular adaptation allows the Mary river turtle to camoflage in its surroundings (environment). Because the Mary River turtle spends so much time under marshy river waters, algae begins to grow all over its body and head!

How dies the Mary River Turtle breath?

A) Through it's nose -N30 24.854 W082 19.306

B) Through it's butt - N30 24.317 W082 19.709

C) Through it's gills - N30 24.006 W082 19.997

Mary River Turtle

This distinctive species of freshwater turtle was only described by scientists in 1994 from the Mary River in the hinterland of the Brisbane region. As a fully grown adult it is probably our largest freshwater turtle, and it is intriguing how it escaped notice by herpetologists for so long.

- See more at: http://australianmuseum.net.au/mary-river-turtle#sthash.tKLCPlCx.dpuf

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ragre arne #38 naq sbyybj gur ebnq.&aofc; Or pnershy vs lbh qevir gubhtu!&aofc; yrnare

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)