Rote Island Snake-necked Turtle - Five Sisters Zoo

The Rote Island Snake-Necked Turtle is one of several Critically Endangered species cared for at Five Sisters Zoo.

Rote Island Snake-necked Turtles are named for their long and flexible neck, which they used to hunt for food in and around the water. Unlike other turtles, they are not able to retract their neck into their shell and will instead wrap it to the side. The shell, or carapace, is grey to brown in colour with a yellow underside. Their eyes also feature a light ring around them which supports their eyesight under the water.

 

Facts

Diet: Omnivore; plants, insects, small fish and crustaceans.

Weight:  440 to 810 grams

Length:  18 to 24 centimetres

Habitat: Rote Island in south-eastern Indonesia; prefers wetlands, ponds and may be found near rice paddies.

Life Span:  up to 30 years under human care, unknown in the wild

Adapted to Survive

  • Individuals will use their long neck to capture their prey
  • If threatened, they will produce a substance to deter predators

Threats

  • Pet trade
  • Degradation of wetlands through deforestation
  • Climate change

IUCN Conservation Status

Critically Endangered; possibly extinct in the wild but unconfirmed

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