New Guinea Snake-necked Turtle
Chelodina novaeguineae
Class
Reptilia
Order
Testudines
Family
Chelidae
New Guinea Snake-necked Turtle
Range
New Guinea and northeastern Australia
Size
Neck Length: Up to 6 in
Carapace: 7 - 8 in
Habitat
Small and large freshwater bodies of water and jungle rivers with ample vegetation
Young
Clutch: 6 - 24 eggs
Diet
Carnivorous, eating any aquatic animal that is small enough for them to handle
IUCN Status
Least Concern
The snake-necked turtle's long neck (including head) can sometimes exceed the length of the carapace (shell).
The highly flexible neck permits foraging in mud as well as snorkeling. It also allows the turtle to strike quickly to capture prey.
Webbed Feet
It has webbed feet used for swimming and digging.
Side-necked Turtle
This species is considered a side-necked turtle. The neck and head fold sideways under the edge of the carapace instead of back in the shell.