Reptiles
Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle
Chelodina mccordi · also called McCord's snake-necked turtle
In a breeding pond in a zoo far from Indonesia, a Roti Island snake-necked turtle stretches its neck across the water, a species whose last stronghold may now be in captivity.
Overview
The Roti Island snake-necked turtle, Chelodina mccordi, is a Critically Endangered freshwater turtle that occurs naturally only on the small island of Roti in eastern Indonesia. Its neck is as long as its shell, and its collapse through the pet trade makes it one of the most precarious turtles in the world.
A turtle that may live on mainly in captivity
Years of collecting for the pet trade, plus drained wetlands, left few wild turtles on Roti, so breeding programmes elsewhere are now an essential safeguard.
Status
Critically Endangered, with a declining population.
Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle: common questions
Where does the Roti Island snake-necked turtle live?
It lives naturally only in seasonal swamps and pools on Roti, a small island of eastern Indonesia.
Why is it so endangered?
It was collected in huge numbers for the international pet trade, and its wetlands were drained for farming.
Is it extinct in the wild?
It is extremely rare and may be close to extinct there, with most surviving animals now in captivity.
Why is it called the snake-necked turtle?
It is named for its extraordinarily long neck, which is as long as its shell and is folded sideways for protection.