Friends of Hawker Lake

Turtles

Snake Neck Turtle – Chelodina colliei 

About

Chelodina colliei is endemic to South West WA and is the only native
freshwater turtle species found in the Perth metropolitan region. They are freshwater dwelling reptiles and live in wetlands and seasonal waterbodies. Mature freshwater turtles are known for their hardiness and ability to live and thrive in a wide range of conditions; however, they are still vulnerable. During the summer turtles are able to aestivate by burying themselves or hiding under logs and using stored body energy reserves. This makes them more susceptible to predation and land clearing.

Snake necked turtles are easily identifiable by their long, thin neck and its shell, which is generally dark brown to black while the bottom of the shell is pale in colour. Adult turtles have a shell length of 30 to 40 centimeters, whilst baby turtles (hatchlings) can be as small as 30 millimeters

Nesting

The nesting season is from September to January. Females lay up to three clutches of 2 -16 leathery eggs which take 26 – 41 weeks to hatch. Introduced species impose greater competition for resources and many prey on hatchlings. Females travel up to a kilometer to find a suitable nesting site. They are more vulnerable during this time as many have to travel across parks and roads

Hatchlings

Hatchlings have an approximately 30mm long shell and are particularly at risk of predation by dogs, cats, foxes, and crows, and being hit by cars during their journey back to their wetland homes from May to September, one at a time not in a group.

Threats

  • Injury by traffic Invasive species.
  • Poor water quality.
  • Man-made pollution.
  • Drying climate.
  • Development.
  • Predation by dogs, foxes, crows, and cats.
  • Habitat loss and fragmentation.
  • Illegal capture.

What to do if You See One

  • More than likely it will be a female on her way to or back from laying eggs.
  • Keep children and dogs away and keep a good distance between you.
  • Do not pick her up and put her in the lake. She will abort her eggs in the lake.
  • Follow and scare off predators. Allow her to cross the road unless about to be run over.
  • Get in touch with a ‘Turtle Tracker’ usually walking around in Hi Viz. or
  • Call the Rockingham City Council.
  • Record sighting with Turtle Sat.
  • Keep dogs on a leash and out of the water.
  • Keep Cats indoors.
  • Be mindful when driving on roads.

Turtle Tracker Program

The City of Rockingham have joined forces with Murdoch University and South West Group to participate in the Saving Our Snake Necked Turtle Project. Many of the City’s wetlands, including the Hawker Street Lake and Lake Richmond, are home to the Snake Necked Turtle, which are under threat from feral animals, road strikes, and a lack of suitable nesting habitat.

The Turtle Tracker citizen science project will provides the community with the opportunity to help save our snake necked turtles by monitoring and protecting local populations at Hawker Lake and Palm Beach Lagoon, during peak nesting season (September to November).

The duties of a Turtle Tracker are:

  • Patrolling areas around Hawker Lake for turtles and signs of turtle nesting as part of a group roster.
  • Protecting turtles from predators such as birds.
  • Observing and monitoring turtles from a distance during nesting until the turtle safety returns to the wetland.
  • Recording turtle sightings/nests using the TurtleSAT app, including taking photographs of the turtles and surrounding environment.
  • Protecting observed nesting sites using the equipment supplied.

Who should I contact if I find an injured turtle?

If you find an injured or dead turtle, it should be taken to WA Wildlife Hospital who can provide emergency care and rehabilitation:

If you need to handle a turtle in order to take it to a wildlife rescue center, please make sure you do so correctly. You can grasp the turtle around the middle of the carapace (the hard top part of the shell) and hold the turtle away from your body. The hind legs have small claws, so this will prevent you from getting any minor scratches.

More Information