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Chelodina colliei
The southwestern snake-necked turtle or narrow-breasted snake-necked turtle is a species of turtle in the Chelidae family. Chelodina colliei is very peculiar long-necked turtle because it is unique in many ways. The species is endemic to the south-west part of Western Australia, and the only member out of the Chelodina and Macrochelodina genera to have well developed neural bones. Their shell is oblong, rather contracted in front, with a broad impression on the middle of the back. The back is olive brown, with irregular anastomosing lines of the shields; beneath reddish-yellow. The marginal plates longer than broad, the second larger than the first and third; and rather angularly produced in the middle of the inner edge, opposite the suture between the first dorsal and first costal plate; the sternum high, flat, strongly and sharply keeled on the sides.
Chelodina colliei is endemic to the southwestern part of Western Australia. It is this species' uniqueness that also makes it more vulnerable for environmental threats. The destruction of this species' natural habitat, many road kills of turtles searching for either a nesting site or a water body that does not dry out in summer, and natural predators are main causes of the Chelodina colliei population's decrease in numbers.
First photo is a female Narrow-breasted snake-necked turtle, the second one shows her clutch of eggs. Spotted at Emu Point, Australia. (sources:see reference)
Spotted on Nov 28, 2009
Submitted on May 19, 2014
19 Comments
Thanks Jae. Makes me feel better...female trouble-makers, as usual !! :)
@DonaldNature I hadn't too before that day :)
@Sergio Monteiro Thank you. This one sure had a long neck, but don't rule out the South American snake-necked turtle just yet. It would probably be a neck-and-neck race who has the longest :P
@Leuba If my memory serves me right there were road warnings signs and a speed limit on that particular road. I did learn afterwards that these turtles lay their eggs only twice a year en masse, so I guess there is safety in numbers. If it's any consolation most of the the turtles I saw that day laid their eggs at a safe distance from the road near the water, there were only a few that had or wanted to cross the road like the female in the photo.
Found crossing the road ?? I hope there is something done to protect their habitat.
Wow, what an awesome critter. We have some similar species here in South America, but their neck is less than half as long. Congrats.
Wow I've never seen a turtle with such a long neck!
Thank you for your comment, ChiefRedEarth. I don't know if the long neck helps the turtle accelerate, it could very well be. I think its long neck also comes in handy for hunting.
"Movement: When prey is in range the Oblong turtle can strike its head forward to seize it"
(source: http://www.climatewatch.org.au/species/r...)
WOW! What a rare finding Jae! Does this long neck helps him to accelerate speed?
Thank you for your kind comment, Gilma.
I wish I could monitor those eggs, however these pictures were taken on my trip through Australia, and I'm from Holland myself.
Just awesome!! this turtle is incredible and laying eggs after...amazing. Do you plan to keep an eye on those eggs?
I think I made a mistake in identifying this turtle. I thought this was the Eastern long-necked turtle, a widespread species in Australia, however they can't be found in Western Australia. The Narrow-breated snake-necked turtle on the other hand can be found in Western Australia. My bad, folks.
http://www.pilbarapythons.com/oblongturt...
Thank you for your kind comments, James & Sukanya
In West Bengal, India we have an idiom celebrating the fact that once a tortoise or turtle (koch-chhop is generic for both in common lingo) bites it does not let go!! Very brave handling it...great shot.
Awesome shot...great creature...thank you
Thanks venusflytrap2000
wow, great find and spotting!
Thank you, k.andrews6
Great job helping her cross the road. Also, great shot showing why it's called a called a long-necked turtle. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Rosa Maria.
This beautiful turtle laid her eggs right after I helped her cross a road.
Awesome finding! We don't get side-necked turtles (Suborder: Pleurodira) in the U.S. :)