It looks like an aquatic version of Johnny Rotten in his punk heyday after a heavy night on the tiles.

But that spiky green quiff isn't gelled hair - it's growing algae.

And the creature sporting the spectacular coiffure is the Mary River Turtle, one of the most unusual reptiles of its type on the planet.

The Mary River Turtle has become a popular figure with Australian environmentalists who say the endangered creature is being further threatened by Queensland State Government's plans to build a dam on the river.

It is one of the more unusual species of turtles as it breathes through lung-like structures in its tail and needs shallow water to survive.

It was described formally by scientists only in 1994 and little is known about it.

The hairsute creature was captured by amateur photographer Chris Van Wyk as it quietly waded in the shallows.