Turtle Snake Neck

• EASTERN LONG NECK or SNAKE NECK TURTLE.

  Chelodina longicollis

   

  RANGE: The eastern snake-necked turtle, occurs throughout south-eastern and eastern Australia. It is typically found in swamps, lakes, slow moving waterways, creeks and billabongs, sometimes migrating overland during the summer months often being found wandering on overcast days during this time.

   

  DESCRIPTION: The long neck which gives it its name can measure over half the shell length which may reach up to 30cm in length with most averaging 20cm. Generally brown/black all over with yellowish markings on plastron.

  Specimens will emit a strong smelling liquid (called musking), as a means of defence. This, however, ceases as they settle into captivity.

   

  Check out the Aussie website AFT ( Australian Freshwater Turtles) for excellent care sheets on the Australian turtle species.

  BREEDING: Breeding takes place in spring or early summer. Clutch Size may be 8 to 24 eggs with an incubation time of 3 to 4 months.

  DIET: in the Australian wild includes frogs, tadpoles, small fish, yabbies and crustaceans. In captivity they will feed on commercially prepared frozen 'hot house' turtle food, small mice, insects and feeder fish. In general they are carnivorous and will readily eat feeder fish, bugs, crickets, daphnia, dragonflies, earwigs, grasshoppers, flies, moths, nymphs and larvae, slaters, water-snails, water boatmen, worms (start a worm farm...great free food) raw fish cut up to bite sized pieces.

  LIGHTING. As for RES. However snake necks tend to float at the surface of the water rather than climb out onto a basking ramp and so it's important to place the UVB light over the full length of the tank, not just the basking area. They also prefer a natural piece of wood to climb up and bask on rather than a glass ramp. You cant beat natural sunlight and they will thrive in an appropriately set up pond and happily bask on logs near the water.