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COMMON NAME: Long Neck Turtle
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chelodina longicollis
FAMILY: Chelidae
GENUS: Chelodina
STATUS: Secure
SIZE (cm): 25
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DESCRIPTION: Colour variable, from rich brown to dark
brown or black above, in lighter coloured specimens the sutures between
the scutes of the carapace outlined in black. White or cream below,
the sutures of the plastron and lower margin of carapace broadly edged
with black. Hatchlings in some areas with bright orange or red plastron.
Shell above moderately broad, slightly expanded posteriorly. Plastron
greatly expanded anteriorly, about one and a half times longer than
broad, widest at the level of the humerals and the anterior expansion
extending laterally beyond the inner edges of the overlaying marginal
plates of the carapace. Intergular shield usually at least twice as
long as the suture between the pectorals. Head only moderately depressed,
the eyes more or less laterally directed. 25 cm.
PREFERRED HABITAT: Coastal and inland waterways
and wetlands of eastern continental Australia, from South-eastern
SA to eastern Qld. to drier interior of north-western WA, NT, Qld,
SA, and NSW. Also found in Southern New Guinea.
MICROHABITAT: Typically an inhabitant of swamps,
oxbow lakes and billabongs, or slow-moving rivers. Sometimes extensive
overland migrations occur in summer. Feeds on a variety of aqautic
organisms - molluscs, crustaceans, tadpoles and small fishes. Lays
up to ten or more eggs in a hole excavated in the bank of its stream
or swamp, usually in early summer etc.
AVAILABILITY: Click
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