Chelodina pritchardi (Pritchard’s Snake-necked Turtle)

Conservation Status:
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Home > Turtle Database > Chelodina pritchardi (Pritchard’s Snake-necked Turtle)

Credit: https://www.inaturalist.org

Chelodina pritchardi is a unique species of turtle known for its distinctive long neck and captivating appearance. Found primarily in New Guinea, this species is a fascinating example of the diverse and specialized turtles within the family Chelidae.

Native To These Regions

Papua New Guinea

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Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Chelidae
  • Genus: Chelodina
  • Species: Chelodina pritchardi

Common Names

  • Pritchard’s Snake-necked Turtle

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Identification

Description

Chelodina pritchardi is characterized by its elongated neck, which is nearly as long as its carapace, giving it a snake-like appearance. The carapace is typically oval-shaped and ranges from brown to dark olive in color, while the plastron is lighter, often yellowish. The limbs are robust, with webbed toes adapted for swimming.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males are generally smaller than females, with longer tails. Females have a broader and more rounded carapace, while males tend to have a concave plastron, which aids in mating.

Check more turtles from the Chelodina genus

Chelodina walloyarrina (Walloyarrina Snake-necked Turtle)

Chelodina steindachneri (Steindachner’s Turtle)

Chelodina reimanni (Reimann’s Snake-necked Turtle)

Native Origin and Distribution

Geographical Range

Chelodina pritchardi is native to New Guinea, particularly found in the lowland rivers and swamps of the southern and western regions of the island.

Preferred Habitat

This species prefers slow-moving rivers, swamps, and wetlands with abundant vegetation. They are highly aquatic and are rarely seen on land, except during nesting.

Behavior

Feeding Habits

Chelodina pritchardi is carnivorous, feeding primarily on small fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. They use their long necks to strike quickly at prey, which is an adaptation to their aquatic environment.

Predators

Natural predators include larger reptiles, birds of prey, and some mammals. Eggs and juveniles are particularly vulnerable to predation.

Reproduction

Breeding Season

The breeding season typically occurs during the wet season when water levels are high, providing ideal conditions for nesting and hatchling survival.

Reproductive Method

Females lay a clutch of eggs on land, usually in sandy or soft soil near water sources. The eggs incubate for several months before hatching.

Conservation

Extinction Status

Chelodina pritchardi is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat destruction and illegal collection for the pet trade.

Threats

The primary threats include habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and water pollution, as well as over-collection for the pet trade.

Conservation Measures

Conservation efforts include habitat protection, regulation of trade, and breeding programs in captivity to help maintain population numbers.

Economic Importance

Chelodina pritchardi has some economic importance in the pet trade, where it is sought after due to its unique appearance. However, this demand has also contributed to its threatened status.

Interesting Facts

  • Chelodina pritchardi is named after John Pritchard, a well-known herpetologist who contributed significantly to the study of this species.
  • The species’ long neck allows it to catch prey with lightning speed, making it an efficient predator in its aquatic environment.
  • Unlike many other turtles, Chelodina pritchardi rarely basks out of water, preferring to remain submerged for extended periods.

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.