Oblong Turtle

Scientific name: Chelodina oblonga

Family: Chelidae

Order: Testudines

Status: Least Concern

Habitat and Distribution

Found in permanent waterways of the Southwest of WA and some semi-permanent swamps.

About the animal:

• Dorsal surface dark brown to black. Ventral whitish;
• Grows between 30 - 40 cm shell length;
• Found in slow moving rivers, lakes and swamps;
• Will bury into mud when water dries up;
• Female turtles will travel several metres to find suitable nesting and they will leave the water in spring and summer to lay their eggs;
• Females travel away from water to lay eggs from October to November.

What they eat?

Oblong turtles are carnivorous and feeds on crustaceans, water bugs, tadpoles, small fish and ducklings.