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South-western Snake-necked turtle

Choonya can travel surprisingly far from water in search of suitable nesting areas or new habitats, occasionally stumbling into home gardens.

Turtles Community Action Species Conservation Wetland

Noongar Names: Choonya (Booyi)

Scientific Name: Chelodina oblonga


Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Threats: Predation by cats and foxes

Will they visit?: They are known to venture into gardens located near rivers and wetlands.

Natural Distribution: Common and widespread throughout the South-West and Perth regions

Habitat at a Glance

See Habitat Guide for more detail

Shelter: Under ground in burrows, thick leaf litter, and under logs, in wetlands and rivers

Diet: Aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, frogs, fish, small birds

Water: Not required

ReWild Benefit: Pest control

ReWild Benefits

South-West Snake-necked Turtle are aquatic predators and provide benefits in the urban landscape. Having a predator in the area is a sign the ecosystem is working well, and the environment boasts growing levels of biodiversity.

There are conservation concerns for South-West Snake-necked Turtles. Car strikes, predation by foxes and dogs, habitat clearing, fences preventing migration, and fishing have impacted the species survival. You can help by being vigilant of migrating turtles on our roads, leaving traveling turtles alone as they travel, and keeping dogs on a leash when visiting wetlands.

Citizen Science

You can be even more involved by reporting sightings, or engaging in citizen science with Save Our Snake-Neck Turtles,

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