Endangered Australian Reptiles: Information Pack
The Macquarie Short-necked turtle (Emydura macquarii)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Family: Chelidae
General Description:
The Macquarie Short-necked turtle is a small, freshwater turtle and is Australia's most critically endangered reptile.
It has a square-shaped, flattened shell which varies in colours from yellow-brown to black and its under-shell is paler with black spots.
There is a single large bony plate on the head, and its neck is very short and covered with horny tubercles. Its legs are covered with bony plates and the feet are clawed. The adult males grow up to 15 cm and can weigh up to 550 grams. Females are usually smaller than males.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Family: Chelidae
General Description:
The Macquarie Short-necked turtle is a small, freshwater turtle and is Australia's most critically endangered reptile.
It has a square-shaped, flattened shell which varies in colours from yellow-brown to black and its under-shell is paler with black spots.
There is a single large bony plate on the head, and its neck is very short and covered with horny tubercles. Its legs are covered with bony plates and the feet are clawed. The adult males grow up to 15 cm and can weigh up to 550 grams. Females are usually smaller than males.
Habitat:
It is restricted to the Murray-Darling River/Basin system in southeastern Australia, inhabiting larger rivers and permanent lakes in this region.
Most of the swamps contain shrubs that form canopies one to two meters above the water level over open tall sedges. When the swamps dry up (in the late spring), they leave the swamps to spend the summer in natural underground holes, rabbit burrows, or under leaf litter.
It is restricted to the Murray-Darling River/Basin system in southeastern Australia, inhabiting larger rivers and permanent lakes in this region.
Most of the swamps contain shrubs that form canopies one to two meters above the water level over open tall sedges. When the swamps dry up (in the late spring), they leave the swamps to spend the summer in natural underground holes, rabbit burrows, or under leaf litter.
Diet:
Short-necked turtles are omnivorous, eating considerable plant material, as well as invertebrates. They are major consumers of dead animals, cleaning up dead fish and other animals in the water. Adults tend to eat a large proportion of vegetable matter such as fruits and water plants.
Reproduction Rate:
Mating occurs in the winter and only in the water. The female lays three to five eggs, and the eggs hatch after 180 days of incubation.
The eggs and newborn hatchlings then face a long list of predators , however, adult turtles have few natural enemies.
Short-necked turtles are omnivorous, eating considerable plant material, as well as invertebrates. They are major consumers of dead animals, cleaning up dead fish and other animals in the water. Adults tend to eat a large proportion of vegetable matter such as fruits and water plants.
Reproduction Rate:
Mating occurs in the winter and only in the water. The female lays three to five eggs, and the eggs hatch after 180 days of incubation.
The eggs and newborn hatchlings then face a long list of predators , however, adult turtles have few natural enemies.
Population Numbers and Predators:
The short-necked turtle has suffered a severe reduction in numbers and has declined from an estimated population of 250 in the 1960's to around 15 to 25 today. This species has a restricted distribution and depends on its swamp habitat which has been greatly reduced and disturbed by draining and filling for agricultural purposes. The species also suffers predation by the introduced red fox as well as other animals including; goannas, rats, birds, cats and wild pigs.
Conservation efforts include a recovery plan developed by the Australian government, a captive breeding program at the Perth Zoo in Australia, and protected individuals and swamps found in two nature reserves.
Why are they endangered?
The Macquarie Short-necked turtle are very well protected compared to other countries, however they are not free from dangerous hazards. Overall, the combination of introduced species, such as the red fox, drought and the new threat of climate change, all add up to an unknown future for this species. However the main reason why these species are now considered endangered is due to an excessive amount of harvesting and habitat loss. There are also frequent car accidents with the turtles, as they are run over trying to reach new land on the other side of the road. Another reason for the turtle becoming more endangered is because majority of them were domesticated in the 1960's. The turtle's were sold nationally as cute, little 'penny' turtles. They were domesticated, but weren't often given the correct conditions, therefore they would die. Another problem was, that as they grew larger, most owners would no longer want them as they were too large and hard to cater for, so they were put in local lakes and ponds where they were an easy target to predators. After the domesticated turtle was released into the wild, humans didn't realise that there was a high chance that they wouldn't survive as the turtles relied heavily on the humans for their habitat and food source.
What are humans doing to protect them?
An animal centre has been set up south of Perth, Australia in order to protect these penny turtles. Many full grown and healthy turtles have been realised from captivity and have survived the wild and harsh Australian land.
Interesting Fact:
These turtles have been popular pets for many years. Hatchlings are often sold as 'penny turtles', however, these will still grow into large adults and, if insufficient diet or housing is provided, the shell may become permanently deformed. Many are dumped by their owners as they grow, consequently, they are common in the ponds and lakes in many urban parks.
The short-necked turtle has suffered a severe reduction in numbers and has declined from an estimated population of 250 in the 1960's to around 15 to 25 today. This species has a restricted distribution and depends on its swamp habitat which has been greatly reduced and disturbed by draining and filling for agricultural purposes. The species also suffers predation by the introduced red fox as well as other animals including; goannas, rats, birds, cats and wild pigs.
Conservation efforts include a recovery plan developed by the Australian government, a captive breeding program at the Perth Zoo in Australia, and protected individuals and swamps found in two nature reserves.
Why are they endangered?
The Macquarie Short-necked turtle are very well protected compared to other countries, however they are not free from dangerous hazards. Overall, the combination of introduced species, such as the red fox, drought and the new threat of climate change, all add up to an unknown future for this species. However the main reason why these species are now considered endangered is due to an excessive amount of harvesting and habitat loss. There are also frequent car accidents with the turtles, as they are run over trying to reach new land on the other side of the road. Another reason for the turtle becoming more endangered is because majority of them were domesticated in the 1960's. The turtle's were sold nationally as cute, little 'penny' turtles. They were domesticated, but weren't often given the correct conditions, therefore they would die. Another problem was, that as they grew larger, most owners would no longer want them as they were too large and hard to cater for, so they were put in local lakes and ponds where they were an easy target to predators. After the domesticated turtle was released into the wild, humans didn't realise that there was a high chance that they wouldn't survive as the turtles relied heavily on the humans for their habitat and food source.
What are humans doing to protect them?
An animal centre has been set up south of Perth, Australia in order to protect these penny turtles. Many full grown and healthy turtles have been realised from captivity and have survived the wild and harsh Australian land.
Interesting Fact:
These turtles have been popular pets for many years. Hatchlings are often sold as 'penny turtles', however, these will still grow into large adults and, if insufficient diet or housing is provided, the shell may become permanently deformed. Many are dumped by their owners as they grow, consequently, they are common in the ponds and lakes in many urban parks.