what to feed eastern long neck turtles

• Aquatic plants. The list of aquatic plants that Eastern Long Neck Turtles eat is endless. ...
• Meat. If you want to raise an Eastern Long Neck Turtle, you must understand that it is an aquatic reptile and should not be fed meat.
• Salt. A regular diet of fresh, raw vegetables is not necessary for long-neck turtles, although they do like some meat.
• Eggs. Eastern Long Neck Turtles lay between four and twenty hard shelled eggs, which hatch out three to five months after the female lays them.
• Females mate in early to late Spring. Reproductive activity of female Eastern Long Neck Turtles occurs in the early to late Spring. ...
Hatchlings lay eggs in late Summer to Autumn. The Eastern Long Neck Turtle lays its eggs during late Summer and early Autumn. ...
Males have a polygynous mating system. Many species of reptiles and turtles are polygynous. Studies of these animals suggest that multiple paternity is a key component of their mating system.

Full Answer

What do eastern long-neck turtles eat?

The Eastern Long-neck Turtle ( Chelodina longicollis) is found in eastern Australia from just south of Rockhampton in Queensland to Victoria. It is a carnivorous species that in the wild mostly eats aquatic insect larvae, small invertebrates, tadpoles, frogs and occasionally fish.

What can I Feed my turtle to make it healthy?

Your turtle needs to eat whole fish such as whitebait (NOT fish fillets) and the occasional crustacean (prawns or yabbies) as part of its regular meal. Once weekly replace this with a meal of preferably bloodworms or occasionally very lean meat (not minced meat).

How often should I Feed my long necked turtle?

The frequency of feeding should be 2 times a week and the amount roughly 5 to 10 bite size pieces per animal at each feed. This species of turtle prefers to eat in the water, however, I have had individuals that prefer to feed on the land. Variety is important. Long-necked Turtles are totally carnivorous.

How do long necked turtles get food?

The Eastern long-necked turtles get food by either foraging or using so-called ‘sit-and-wait’ technique. They often lie in a hidden place at the bottom of a water body, watching for a prey. And when it appears, they strike out at prey, opening their mouth and sucking it in.

What do eastern long-neck turtles eat?

The Common Long-necked Turtle is carnivorous and commonly feeds on fish, insects, tadpoles, frogs, yabbies and other crustaceans. They have a unique hunting mechanism.

Can eastern long-neck turtles eat fruit?

They are scavengers and grazers and eat a more varied diet. Feed as for the long-neck turtle but also offer vegetables and fruits such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, pumpkin, parsley, apples, pears and stone fruits. You can also give some native freshwater plants such as Duckweed, Ribbon Weed and Nardoo.

Do eastern long-neck turtles eat vegetables?

6. Do long-necked turtles eat vegetables? No. Long-necked turtles do not usually eat vegetables.

How often should I feed my long-neck turtle?

Turtles need to be offered food when they are in the water and young turtles should be fed daily. Older turtles need feeding 3 times a week. It can take a turtle several weeks to get used to a new food source and it is ok to let them go without food and let them get hungry while introducing new foods.

Do turtles eat lettuce?

In addition to most lettuces, turtles tend to enjoy leafy green vegetables — think kale, spinach, collard greens, etc. Not only will your turtle love these, but they're also filled with important vitamins and minerals.

What can turtles eat from human food?

They especially like leafy green veggies, so kale, collard greens, and mustard greens are both healthy and delicious for them. They'll also chow down on carrots, squash, green beans, and peas. As far as fruits go, you can give them bananas, apples, and pears, among other things.

Can long neck turtles eat worms?

Feeding: ** Long- neck turtles are carnivorous and will eat insects ( moths, crickets) , tadpoles, small freshwater fish (such as white bait, guppies etc) , fresh and saltwater prawns and yabbies, snails and mussels and worms. Any saltwater feed should be rinsed thoroughly and soaked for at least an hour.

What fruit can turtles eat?

Fruit should be fed more sparingly than vegetables, since they are often preferred by box turtles over vegetables and tend to be less nutritious. Fruits to offer include apples, pears, bananas (with skin), mango, grapes, star fruit, raisins, peaches, tomato, guava, kiwis, and melons. Fruits that are particularly ...

How long can turtles stay out of water?

Generally speaking, a turtle can go about 8 hours without water in a warm and dry environment. In this article, we will discuss which aquatic turtle species make the best pets, why turtles need water, and how to provide fresh and clean water to your turtles.

What veggies can turtles eat?

Desirable vegetables to offer include dark leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, carrot tops, endive, Swiss chard, kale, parsley, green beans, dandelion greens, turnip greens, and clover.

How long do eastern long neck turtles live in captivity?

thirty to seventy-five yearsIf basic guidelines are followed, then your turtle should thrive in captivity and may even breed for you. Turtles are renowned for their longevity and provided your pet remains healthy, may live for thirty to seventy-five years in your care.

How long do eastern long neck turtles live?

Eastern snake-necked turtles can live up to 50 years old and grow to a shell length of 25 cm.

What do turtles eat?

Your turtle needs to eat whole fish such as whitebait (NOT fish fillets) and the occasional crustacean (prawns or yabbies) as part of its regular meal. Once weekly replace this with a meal of preferably bloodworms or occasionally very lean meat (not minced meat). 3.

What temperature do turtles eat?

Your turtle needs the water temperature to be kept at 23-26 degrees Celsius.

Can turtles eat pellets?

No. At present most turtle dinners and pellets are not whole diet foods and, if fed as a major source of food, will lead to severe nutritional deficiencies. They can only be fed as an occasional treat. reptile Bird & Exotics Vet 9 June 2020 Bird & Exotics Veterinarian. Facebook 0 0 Likes.

How big do long neck turtles get?

Eastern Long-necked Turtles are often sold when very small, about 3cm shell length, however, this species will grow to a shell length of 20 - 30cm. As the turtle grows, depending on the size of aquarium you have, ...

How to tell if a turtle is over feeding?

Over feeding will cause exceptional growth there are a number of signs of this. A 3-year-old wild Eastern Long-neck turtle is around 5-8 cm in shell length. Also this species always has a black shell, if the shell is brown with clear growth rings, it is growing too fast.

How to hold a turtle?

A good method for many turtles is to hold them from behind with your hand under the plastron (belly). Don't ever drill a hole in the shell to tether the turtle - this is cruel as the shell is living bone. Wash hands before and after handling and between animals- this is basic animal hygiene.

How long do turtles live?

Turtles in general are long term pets. They can easily live for 100 years or more so this is a pet you may have to leave to your grandchildren. I say this not in jest but to make you aware of the commitment you must make to this species. Understand that, like all reptiles, this animal is not a mammal.

What is the best way to buffer water in a marine aquarium?

A filtration system or continuous water replacement is essential. Using a power filter that allows for multiple substrates is the best method. You need to use bio-balls and filter foam, use charcoal as well if you desire.

How deep should I put my turtle?

I find a depth of between 15 and 20 cm suitable; it should be deeper if possible. Provide a totally dry basking area for the turtle, preferably sandy rather than rock.

Can a turtle hibernate in an aquarium?

If your turtle is an outdoor pet and your enclosure is not suitable for hibernation you can put the turtle in an aquarium without water in a cool spot indoors near a window for natural light (your turtle will know how long to hibernate by the length of daylight). The turtle must be below 10oC to hibernate safely.

How to rescue a turtle on the road?

If you find a turtle on the road and want to rescue it, be careful how you pick it up. Armed with defensive scent glands above each leg, turtles can squirt a liquid with a stinking and persistent odour. The best way is to pick them up by the shell and hold them well away from you so the liquid doesn’t touch you.

What is the name of the turtle that lives in the backyard?

One of the more unexpected visitors to the backyard during summer is the Eastern Long-necked or snake-necked, turtle ( Chelodina longicollis ) one of 23 Australian freshwater turtle species.

What is the color of the turtle's neck?

The shell is red-brown or black on the upper shell and a creamy-yellow lower shell. Dark brown markings along the shell are also very common.

How long do turtles walk?

You may find a turtle has taken up temporary residence in your garden pond, resting and feeding before moving on. Turtles can walk up to a kilometre a day in their hunt for their favourite foods: molluscs, crustaceans, tadpoles, and insects.

How to pick up a long neck turtle?

The best way is to pick them up by the shell and hold them well away from you so the liquid doesn’t touch you. Eastern Long-necked Turtles are native animals and are protected across Australia. If you have one in your backyard or pool or you find one on the road you should not move it away.

Do long neck turtles have a stinking smell?

Fast facts: Eastern Long-necked Turtles are armed with defensive scent glands above each leg, turtles can squirt a liquid with a stinking and persistent odour. Long-necked turtles are extremely tough, sometimes living in some pretty unappealing places, such as polluted creeks and even sewage treatment plants.

Where do long neck turtles live?

It live in bodies of slow moving water like farm dams, rivers and lakes. These turtles move across land in groups of up to several dozen.