Common Snake-necked Turtle
Chelodina longicollis
The common snake-necked turtle has a serpentine neck that can grow to more than half the length of its 28 cm (11 inch) long shell. It uses this neck to snatch prey underwater. When it strikes, it quickly lowers a bottom jawbone, creating a vacuum that sucks the prey into its mouth.
Spotting this reptilian’s head protruding high above the water of a pond, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it was some malformed snake; one with a vacuous smile, prominent nostrils, a thousand-yard stare, and a lumpy wrinkled body. But what you're seeing is most likely a long-necked turtle, also known as a snake-necked turtle. A creature with a serpentine neck that can protrude to lengths of more than half of its shell. Indeed, even on land, it looks as if someone stuffed an uncomely snake into the shell of a turtle.
And its neck does share some of the abilities of a serpent, particularly, the ability to strike at speed. However, this turtle goes about it differently. A subaquatic hunter, instead of employing venomous fangs, it uses physics to catch prey. As an unfortunate insect, fish, or tadpole swims by, the turtle shoots out its neck and lowers its hyoid bone — a bone that makes up its lower jaw. This sudden movement creates a vacuum in the water, which results in the prey being sucked into the turtle's gaping mouth. This hunting technique is known as a 'strike-and-gape action'. Larger prey requires a less elegant approach; it is torn apart by the powerful front claws of the turtle.
The common snake-necked turtle emerges from its murky pond.
What ponds do common snake-necked turtles live in? — in case you'd like to avoid them. Well, unless you're in southeastern Australia, you probably don't have to worry about running into one. If you do want to find one, off to the swamp you go. This turtle likes the slow-moving waters of wetlands, where it can sit peacefully at the bottom. You may also have some luck searching streams and rivers. If you're looking between October to December, you might notice nests dug into the sand along the riverbanks — these snake-necked turtle nests will usually contain about 10 hard-shelled eggs, each about 30 mm (about an inch) long. The best time to catch sight of an adult though, is when it leaves the water to go basking in the sun — allowing you to get a good look at its flippered feet, tiny tail, and its frankly, quite impressive neck.
Although I wouldn't get too close and comfortable with the thing, because this turtle is also known by another common name; “stinker”. When disturbed, it emits a pungent yellow liquid from musk glands in its armpits and groin. This form of smelly security, protects it from predators like dingoes, water rats, and goannas — and against overly curious humans.
While this species isn't listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, it still suffers from an environment changed by anthropogenic forces. If you live in southeastern Australia, there are a few ways you can help support these long-necked critters; recording turtle sightings on TurtleSAT, protecting their nests from predators like foxes and cats, being vigilant for turtles on the road — especially in wet conditions between October and January — and volunteering with local wetland groups. (You can read more about it on the second page of this factsheet). This turtle may not be the prettiest, but it sure is unique, and that in itself is a great reason to love it and protect it.
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📍 Calga, New South Wales, Australia 📅 October, 2023
My first run-in with this turtle was while volunteering at an animal sanctuary a few hours north of Sydney. A large rock formation, with multiple dips that formed natural ponds, was home to one of these elusive, but also inquisitive — and a little horrid-looking — creatures. It would travel between the ponds, spending part of its day in this one, then another part in that. To attract its attention, I'd lightly tap the edge of the water with my boot, sending ripples throughout the pond. Then, from the murky-green depths, as if summoned by a spell, I'd see a little set of nostrils pop up, followed by a pair of yellow-pupiled eyes, staring intensely up at me — expressions are hard to read on a turtle, I liked to interpret it as curious, but it might equally have been pissed off that I was disrupting the peace at its pond. It would rarely extend its full head out of the water, but when the top of its shell surfaced, quite a long ways back from its face, I could grasp the impressive extent of its neck.
Where Does It Live?
⛰️ Wetlands, swamplands, lakes, rivers (most aquatic habitats except for seawater).
📍 West coast of Queensland, as well as New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
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Size // Small
Length // 25 cm (9.8 in) carapace
Weight // 600 g (1.3 lbs) average
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Activity: Diurnal ☀️
Lifestyle: Solitary 👤
Lifespan: 31 - 37 years
Diet: Carnivore
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Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Chelidae
Genus: Chelodina
Species: C. longicollis
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This turtle is also known as the "stinker" — a nickname derived from its ability to release a yellow liquid with a pungent odour from glands in its armpits and groin.
To catch smaller prey, this turtle uses a 'strike-and-gape action' which creates a suction that pulls its prey into its jaws. It tears about larger prey with its front limbs.
These turtles nest in riverbanks, digging holes in the sand and laying about ten eggs. They usually nest between October and December.
