The Murray River turtle (Emydura macquarii)
Also know as the eastern short-necked turtle and the Macquarie River turtle, the Murray River turtle is considered an endangered species in Victoria.
Appearance
The Murray River turtle has a shorter neck, a band of cream from mouth to neck, and a pale underside with no black lines.
Distribution and habitat
Found more commonly in central and north Victoria, the Murray River turtle frequents large waterways and can be found in ornamental ponds, large lakes, and river drainages.
Diet
An opportune feeder, the Murray River turtle is omnivorous feeding on both aquatic vegetation and species including tadpoles, crayfish, fish, and invertebrates.
Behaviour
Murray River turtles rarely come out of the water. If you’re lucky, you may spot them soaking up the sunshine on the shorelines of the waterway.
Breeding season
Breeding typically takes place between late spring and early summer. The females will choose a nest site close to water and dig down approximately 20cm. They lay between 10 to 15 eggs in each nest with eggs taking approximately six to eight weeks to hatch.
The common long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis)
The common long-necked turtle is endemic to Australia. They have a wide distribution along the east coast of Australia up to the base of Queensland.
Appearance
These turtles are named after their long, skinny neck which can sometimes grow as long as their shell. Being a medium-sized turtle, their body length spans approximately 25cm at maturity, with females typically growing larger than males. This species of turtle is a side-necked turtle which means they will move their head side-to-side as opposed to pulling it back into the shell.
A telltale difference between the common long-necked and the broad-shelled turtle is the pattern on their underside (called plastron). A long-neck turtle has a black, grid-like pattern where the broad-shell does not.
Distribution and habitat
Common long-necked turtles are found throughout Victoria, preferring slow-moving waterways such as dams, swamps and lakes. During their breeding season, they can travel great distances and can be found in some unexpected places such as suburban streets, backyards and pools.
Diet
Tadpoles, insects, small fish and frogs make up the majority of their carnivorous diet. They utilise their ‘snake-like’ neck when hunting using a strike and gape method like that of snakes. This involves tucking the neck under their shell to get closer to the prey before quickly striking out and sucking the prey into their jaws like a vacuum.
Behaviour
Despite being primarily solitary, multiple individuals can coexist in the same ecosystem. They move to new habitats quite regularly and can travel great distances. Communication occurs via touching or the release of pheromones. When under a perceived attack, they may produce a strong, pungent musk as a deterrent, so be careful if attempting to pick one up!
Broad-shelled turtle (Chelodina expansa)
A threatened species in Victoria, the broad-shelled turtle has the longest neck in relation to body size compared to any other turtle worldwide.
Appearance
They are much larger than the common long-necked turtle and can grow up to 50cm in length. They have a large, flattened head and small eyes. With a cream-coloured underside (plastron) and skin, they are recognisably different from the common long-necked turtles when turned upside down.
Distribution and habitat
These turtles can be found in slow moving or stagnant freshwater systems, ranging from the Murray Darling River System in South Australia up to South-Eastern Queensland. They frequent waterways with natural debris such as logs and root systems.
Diet
Their diet consists mainly of frogs, fish, crustaceans and occasionally ducklings. Similarly to the common long-necked turtles, they catch their prey using the strike and gape method.
Behaviour
Like other ectotherms (cold-blooded animals), they are most active during the warmer months. Although they rarely leave the water, dry weather may force them to travel to a new water source. Some choose to stay behind, burying themselves in mud to wait out the dry spell in a state called aestivation.
Breeding season
Commonly nesting about 100m away from the river, females lay between five and 30 eggs in autumn which hatch later in spring and summer. However, they can sometimes travel up to 1km from a river to lay their eggs.
General fun facts
- Murray River turtles are slow growing and aren’t considered adults until around 10 years of age.
- Murray river turtle females are typically larger than males weighing in at around 3.5kg compared to the males 1.5kg.
- Common long-necked turtles can live up to 50 years old
- Common long-necked turtles are a type of Pleurodira turtle, meaning side necked. They can fold and tuck around the side of their shells but cannot retract their neck straight back into their shell.
- Broad shelled turtles are Australia’s largest freshwater turtle.
- Unsuspecting small bird species drinking at the water’s edge have been recorded to be taken by a broad-shelled turtle.
- Murray river turtles and long-necked turtles can make great pets. Just remember to do your research on how to properly care for them and that you have the proper license to keep them.