Image: Eastern Snake-necked Turtle

Eastern Snake-necked Turtles live in eastern Australia. They are found in freshwater swamps and billabongs and in slow-moving rivers.

Illustrator:

Andrew Howells

Rights:

© Australian Museum

Common name:

Eastern Snake-necked Turtle

Scientific name:

Chelodina longicollis

Additional information

Eastern Snake-necked Turtles live in eastern Australia. They are found in freshwater swamps and billabongs and in slow-moving rivers.

Eastern Snake-necked Turtles eat crustaceans, tadpoles, small fish and molluscs. They find their food using their sight and their sense of smell.

Eastern Snake-necked Turtles hold their neck sideways and then extend it, striking like a snake to capture their prey. They then swallow it whole. They break up larger prey with the powerful claws on their front feet.

Large birds, large fish and foxes eat Eastern Snake-necked Turtles.

Eastern Snake-necked Turtles move slowly on all four legs on land. They swim with their webbed feet in water.

Eastern Snake-necked Turtles lay about ten eggs. The eggs have brittle shells. The eggs are laid each breeding season in early summer. Young Eastern Snake-necked Turtles look after themselves.

Eastern Snake-necked Turtles can produce an awful smelling liquid when frightened or disturbed. Eastern Snake-necked Turtles are sometimes called Long-necked Turtles.

Last Updated: 28 July 2009

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