How to Care for a Snake-Necked Turtle

The snake-neck, or long-neck, turtle is found throughout Australia and the shores of New Guinea. It gets its name from its long, serpentine neck. The turtle is carnivorous and has a brown, black and yellow oval-shaped shell. The snake-neck turtle is a feisty creature that will snap at its owner until it becomes accustomed to being handled. The proper care of a snake-neck turtles involves providing it with the correct environment and food.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • River rock
  • Aquarium heater
  • Large flat rock
  • Fish, shrimp or wax worms
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide the turtle with an aquarium that is at least 20 gallons in size. Fill the bottom of the tank with a 2- to 3-inch layer of river rock. Avoid using sand or gravel, as the turtle will ingest this substrate, which could lead to a possible bowel obstruction.

    • 2

      Fill the bottom of the tank with enough water to cover the turtle's shell. The water must be kept at a constant temperature between 77 to 80 degrees F. This level is maintained with a covered aquarium heater to protect the turtle from burning itself.

    • 3

      Place a large flat rock onto the surface of the river rock that juts out above the water line. This will provide a place for the snake-neck turtle to bask, which will allow it to dry out and warm up. Place the basking rock onto either side of the aquarium and allow this side to receive full sun throughout most of the day. This will ensure that the turtle receives enough vitamin D from the UVA and UVB rays of the sun.

    • 4

      Feed the snake-neck turtle a varied diet of meats including fish, shrimp, crickets and wax worms. Drop the slightly warm food into the water and allow the turtle to discover it. Provide turtles younger than three years old enough food to consume five to 10 bites, twice a week. Older turtles will only require feeding once-a-week. Remove any uneaten food after one hour.

    • 5

      Move the turtle to an outdoor environment after the age of three, if desired. Use an enclosed pond that features plant life, a constant temperature around 77 degrees F, and a basking rock. Make sure it is easy for the turtle to enter and exit, and that it will provide a suitable place for the turtle to thrive

    • 6

      Allow the snake-neck turtle to hibernate if you are planning to breed it or if it lives mainly outdoors. To hibernate, discontinue any feeding in early February to prevent the undigested food from rotting in the animal's stomach. The turtle is housed in an indoor aquarium that is drained of water and kept in an area that has a constant temperature of around 65 degrees F and receives sunlight throughout the day.