South American Snake-necked Turtle
A side-necked turtle with a long, flattened neck that folds sideways, and a dark, oval shell.
Overview
A side-necked turtle with a long, flattened neck that folds sideways, and a dark, oval shell. It is a slow-moving, bottom-walking forager of rivers and ponds in southeastern South America, feeding on fish and invertebrates. It is named for its resemblance to the Australian snake-necked turtles.
Classification
The South American Snake-necked Turtle belongs to the suborder Pleurodira (side-neck turtles) and the family Chelidae. It is a largely southern-hemisphere family of side-neck turtles that bend the neck sideways rather than retracting it straight back. Its scientific name is Hydromedusa tectifera.
Appearance & Distinguishing Features
They are highly diverse in form, from long-necked snake-necked turtles to short-necked river species, generally with streamlined shells suited to freshwater life.
Habitat & Distribution
They occur across Australia, New Guinea, and South America in rivers, lakes, swamps, and temporary wetlands.
Diet & Feeding
Most are carnivorous or omnivorous, taking insects, fish, crustaceans, and plant matter depending on the species.
Behavior & Conservation
Many lay flexible-shelled eggs and show strong site fidelity to waterways. Several Australian species appear in the pet trade, while some are threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators.
Popularity & Recognition
The long-necked 'snake-neck' turtles are especially recognisable in Australian waterways and aquaria.
