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
Oblong Turtle – (C) Perth NRM
Oblong Turtle – (C) Perth NRM
Oblong Turtle – (C)Gary Tate
Oblong Turtle – (C) Gary Tate
Oblong turtle – (C) Joe Porter
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
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
South-West Snake-necked Turtles spend their summers in aestivation (summer hibernation) under leaf litter, in thick undergrowth, under fallen timber, or in underground burrows. After the winter rains, the turtles emerge to feed and lay their eggs. They are frequently spotted venturing across roads, parks, and gardens in search of new habitat during wet weather.
Novel Shelter
South-West Snake-necked Turtles can travel surprisingly far from water in search of suitable nesting areas or new habitats. If they stumble into your garden, leave them to continue their travels. If they get stuck, place them in a position where they can make their own way out. They may retreat into shrubberies or into thick leaf litter or mulch.
South-West Snake-necked Turtle are struggling at the moment, so being aware of them help this species survive in urban areas.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
Ponds are great for attracting other wildlife, especially frogs, tadpoles, and dragonflies. South-West Snake-necked Turtle like to hide in thick leaf-litter on the ground as they move to new locations. They are known to venture into garden ponds in search of food.
Providing sources of water
Not required.
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,