Head to head
Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle vs Eastern Long-necked Turtle
Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle
VS Eastern Long-necked Turtle
The Roti Island snake-necked turtle and eastern long-necked turtle are two close relatives in the genus Chelodina, with necks as long as their shells.
| Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle | Eastern Long-necked Turtle | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Chelodina mccordi | Chelodina longicollis |
| Relationship | A close relative of the eastern long-necked turtle, in the same genus | A close relative of the Roti Island snake-necked turtle, in the same genus |
| Neck | As long as its shell, folded sideways under the edge of the shell rather than pulled straight back | Almost as long as its shell, folded sideways into the shell for protection |
| Shell | A flattened, oval shell, brown to olive above, with a pale cream underside | A flattened, oval, dark brown to black shell, with a pale cream underside |
| Diet | Fish, shrimp, tadpoles, and aquatic insects, caught by a sudden strike of its neck | Tadpoles, fish, insects, crustaceans, and other small animals, caught by a quick strike of the head |
| Range | Seasonal swamps and pools on Roti Island in eastern Indonesia, and nowhere else naturally | Wetlands, creeks, dams, and swamps across eastern Australia |
| Threats | Collected in huge numbers for the international pet trade, and its wetlands were drained for farming | Wetland loss and road deaths have reduced numbers in some areas |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered, and may be close to extinct in the wild | Least Concern, though decreasing |
Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle vs Eastern Long-necked Turtle: common questions
Which turtle is almost extinct in the wild?
The Roti Island snake-necked turtle, which is extremely rare and may be close to extinct in the wild, with most surviving animals in captivity.
How do long-necked turtles hide their heads?
They fold their necks sideways under the edge of the shell rather than pulling them straight back.
Which one smells foul?
The eastern long-necked turtle, which releases a foul-smelling fluid from glands near its legs when handled.