Head to head
Western Swamp Turtle vs Eastern Long-necked Turtle
Western Swamp Turtle
VS Eastern Long-necked Turtle
The western swamp turtle and eastern long-necked turtle are two Australian side-necked freshwater turtles whose homes lie on opposite sides of the continent.
| Western Swamp Turtle | Eastern Long-necked Turtle | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pseudemydura umbrina | Chelodina longicollis |
| Shell and neck | A shell only about 15 cm long, brown to black, with a wide head and a short neck folded sideways | A flattened, oval, dark brown to black shell and a neck almost as long as the shell, folded sideways |
| Diet | Tadpoles, aquatic insects, crustaceans, and other small animals | Tadpoles, fish, insects, crustaceans, and other small animals, caught by a quick strike of the head |
| Range | A handful of seasonal swamps near Perth, in Western Australia | Wetlands, creeks, dams, and swamps across eastern Australia |
| Dry spells | Buries itself in leaf litter or a burrow when the swamp dries in summer, and waits for the winter rains | Often walks overland between ponds and swamps, especially after rain or in dry spells |
| Threats | Habitat loss, falling water tables, foxes, and a warming, drying climate | Wetland loss and road deaths have reduced numbers in some areas |
| Population | Fell to a few dozen in the wild, and captive breeding at Perth Zoo has raised numbers to a few hundred | Still widespread and common across its range |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered, though increasing | Least Concern, though decreasing |
Western Swamp Turtle vs Eastern Long-necked Turtle: common questions
Which turtle is Australia's rarest?
The western swamp turtle, which is Critically Endangered and found only in a handful of swamps near Perth.
Which one has the long neck?
The eastern long-necked turtle, whose neck is almost as long as its shell and is folded sideways for protection.
What saved the western swamp turtle?
Captive breeding at Perth Zoo and release into protected swamps have raised its numbers to a few hundred.