The Eastern Long-Necked Turtle is a species of turtle that is native to the Eastern parts of Australia.
It is a type of side-necked turtle, meaning it bends its head into the side of its shell as opposed to pulling it directly back.
Eastern Long-Necked Turtle Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The Eastern Long-Necked Turtle belongs to the Chelidae family which is one of three living families of the turtle suborder Pleurodira.
The turtles in this family are known as the ‘Austro-South American Side-Neck Turtles’ as they can be found in Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and most of South America.
Some of the species in this family include the Pink Bellied Side Neck Turtle and the Jardine River Turtle.
Genus
The genus that the Eastern Long-Necked Turtle belongs to is called Chelodina. This is a diverse genus of Long-Necked Turtles that are known as Snake-Necked Turtles.
There are currently 18 recognised species in this genus including the Cann’s Snake-Necked Turtle and the Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle.
The species in this genus are native to Australia, New Guinea and some of the Indonesian Islands.
Species
The scientific name for the Eastern Long-Necked Turtle is Chelodina longicollis and there are currently no recognised sub-species.
The species was first described in 1794 by an English zoologist named George Kearsley Shaw.
Eastern Long-Necked Turtle Description
As their name suggests, the most noticeable feature of the Eastern Long-Necked Turtle is their long neck.
This can be extended for capturing prey while remaining hidden underwater.
The neck can be longer than the shell, and it folds sideways to fit within the shell when retracted.
Their upper shell or carapace is usually brown or olive and can have a rough texture.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Eastern Long-Necked Turtle is native to the Eastern and South-Eastern regions of Australia.
They can be found in several Australian states and territories, including New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
The Eastern Long-Necked Turtle lives in a range of aquatic environments such as slow-moving rivers, creeks, billabongs, swamps, and ponds.
They are often associated with still or slow-flowing waters that provide access to aquatic vegetation and prey.
Eastern Long-Necked Turtle Behaviour
The Eastern Long-Necked Turtle is well-adapted to aquatic life. They are strong swimmers, using their webbed feet to navigate through water.
Their long neck allows them to ambush prey such as insects, small fish, and crustaceans. When threatened, they can retract their neck sideways into the shell for protection.
Their diet primarily consists of aquatic invertebrates like insects, worms, and crustaceans.
They are also known to feed on small fish and amphibians. Their long neck gives them an advantage in capturing prey.
These turtles lay eggs in a dug-out nest, typically in sandy or loose soil near the water’s edge. The female may travel some distance to find a suitable nesting site.