Chelodina canni (Cann’s Snake-necked Turtle)

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Credit: reptile-database.reptarium.cz

Chelodina canni, also known as Cann’s Snake-necked Turtle, is a distinctive species of turtle known for its long neck and aquatic habits. It is native to northern Australia and is named after the herpetologist John Cann.

Other related species

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Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Chelidae
  • Genus: Chelodina
  • Species: C. canni

Common Names

  • Cann’s Snake-necked Turtle

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Identification

  • Description: This turtle features a relatively small, streamlined carapace that can vary in color from brown to almost black. Its most notable feature is the elongated neck, which is often as long as the carapace itself.
  • Sexual Dimorphism: Males generally have thicker, longer tails and are slightly smaller than females.

Native Origin and Distribution

  • Geographical Range: Found predominantly in the rivers and lakes of northern Australia, including Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Preferred Habitat

Chelodina canni prefers slow-moving waters, such as swamps, lagoons, and rivers, with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Behavior

  • Feeding Habits: This species is carnivorous, feeding primarily on fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects.
  • Predators: Major predators include birds of prey, large fish, and crocodiles.

Reproduction

  • Breeding Season: The breeding season typically occurs during the wet season when water levels are high.
  • Reproductive Method: Females lay eggs on the sandy banks of their aquatic habitats. The eggs are left to incubate and hatch without parental care.

Conservation

  • Extinction Status: Not currently listed as threatened, but local populations may be at risk due to habitat degradation.
  • Threats: Habitat destruction, pollution, and the illegal pet trade pose significant threats to this species.
  • Conservation Measures: Conservation efforts include habitat protection and regulations on trade.

Economic Importance

The economic importance of Chelodina canni is minimal, though it is sometimes involved in the pet trade, which can impact local populations.

Interesting Facts

  • Chelodina canni has an incredible ability to bend its neck sideways under its shell rather than pulling it directly back, differentiating it from many other turtles.

Research Studies

Here is a link to a research paper on Chelodina canni: A New Species of Chelodina (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from Northern Australia

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.