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Sea TurtlesEastern
Snake-Necked Turtle
Eastern Snake-Necked Turtle
Common Name: Eastern Snake-Necked
Turtle
Scientific Name: Chelodina longicollis
Description
The
Eastern Snake-necked Turtle lives in freshwater
environments and feeds on aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles
and small fishes. Most of its time is spent in the
water, but it can make overland movements in search of new
waterholes and nesting areas.
As
its name suggests, this turtle has a long neck, which is usually
about half the length of its carapace (shell). It
has webbed feet used for swimming and digging. The colour
of the carapace varies through shades of brown. Also known
by another common name of 'stinker', this turtle
can eject pungent liquid gland secretions from its 'armpits'
and groin when handled or disturbed.
In
summer, females dig holes in sand or in soft sediments along
stream banks and lay about 10 eggs. These eggs occasionally
provide a meal for Water-rats and lizards. Hatchlings are
eaten by fish and birds, and adults may be killed by cars
while moving overland.
The
terms turtle and tortoise are often used interchangeably and
can cause some confusion. In the past, all freshwater
turtles were called tortoises and marine
turtles were called turtles. The more recent
convention has been to restrict the term 'tortoise' to the
purely land-dwelling species. As such, Australia
has no tortoises.
Size
Carapace
up to 26 cm
Diet
They
eat a variety of aquatic creatures, including tadpoles,
small fish, crustaceans and molluscs. The shell
length of adults is about 25cm.
Habitat
Freshwater,
wetlands
Breeding
Breeding
occurs in summer, when the females deposit up to 10 eggs in
a hole they've dug in the stream bank or swamp.
Location or Region Found
Queensland,
New South Wales, Victoria, south-eastern South Australia.
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