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Pritchard’s Snake-necked Turtle

Chelodina pritchardi

About

The Endangered Pritchard’s snake-necked turtle is one of very few species of turtle endemic to Papua New Guinea.

Snake-necked turtles are known for their strikingly long necks. their necks are so long, in fact, that they cannot withdraw their heads directly back into their shell. Instead, they tuck their neck in sideways!

The snake-necked turtles are relict group of turtles distributed across Australia, New Guinea, The Indonesian Rote Island and East Timor. This genus of turtles diverged from all other living organisms more than 70 million years ago, before the extinction of the dinosaurs!

Pritchard’s snake-necked turtle is restricted to a very small distribution close to an urban centre. The species is threatened by illegal exportation for the international pet trade, where it commands a high price due to its rarity and distinctness. This species is not listed on CITES.

 

  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Chelidae
  • Population: Unknown
  • Trend: decreasing

EDGE Score

EDGE Score: 5.91 (?)
ED Score: 45.304 (?)
GE / IUCN Red List (?)
Not Evaluated Data Deficient Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct

Distribution

This species is found in Papua New Guinea.

Habitat and Ecology

This species is oviparous. It has terrestrial nest sites and inhabits freshwater rivers and swamps.

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