Western Swamp Turtle

Western Swamp Turtle or
Short-necked Turtle
Pseudemydura umbrina

An Endangered Species

This is Perth's very own endangered species.

This turtle was already thought to be extinct but found 50 years after its last sighting and now numbers around 50 in the wild! It's possibly one of the world's most endangered reptiles along with the Rough scaled python and south-west Woma snake. These photographs were taken at Perth Zoo where they are breeding these turtles to increase their numbers and have released a few back into the wild. Check before visiting the zoo that the turtles are on display.

These photographs were taken at Perth Zoo.

Its not very big as far as turtles go. If you saw a full size adult you might think it was a baby sea turtle. Western Swamp Turtle live in fresh water ponds. The males shell or carapace is approx 15cm long and the female is approx 13cm long.

What does it eat?

Turtles swim and hunt for their food in the water when the water temperature is higher than 14 degrees Celsius. The Western Swamp Turtle feeds on tadpoles, water insects and crustaceans but this is only in winter after the June rains.

In summer it digs down deep into the dried out pond to avoid the heat where it stays until enough rain has filled up its pond. This can be for up to 9months in dry years. If it doesn't dig deep enough it could die from the hot summer sun. In order for this turtle to survive a drought year it must have grown through its first two years with enough rain for feeding and growth.

What's the Diff?

What's the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?

Turtle

A turtle spends most of its time in the water.
Turtles have a flatter back.

Tortoise

Tortoises spend most of their time on land.
Tortoises have a humped back.

Turtles must also surface for air as it doesn't breathe under water. Different turtle species can hold their breath for different lengths of time.

Like the Western Long-necked turtles these turtles can also emit a foul smell when handled. The Northern Long-necked turtles don't emit this odour.

The turtles mate in water. The females lay 3-5 hard shelled eggs in November to early December in a nest where the young hatchlings will emerge in the winter rains (as these animals live where it rains in winter).

Text we found used;
"Yakin The Western Swamp Turtle" This is a children's story but filled with facts
"Reptiles and Frogs of the Perth Region" by Brian Bush, Brad Maryan, Robert Browne-Cooper, David Robinson.
CD Rom "Australian Reptiles and Frogs" by Herald Ehnann and Micheal Tyler
http://home.mira.net/~areadman/swamp.htm