Krefts River Side-Neck

Range

The Kreffts River Turtle is found only on Fraser Island off Australia's eastern coast. This is the world's largest sand island with a length of 124 km and a width of 24 km at its maximum. The turtles live in numerous fresh water lakes on the island.

Diet

The omnivorous Fraser Island short-necked turtles have a broad range of food considering their habitat is often nutrient deficient. The smaller, younger turtles are mostly carnivorous, relying on aquatic and terrestrial insects, and crustaceans. The larger adults are more omnivorous, feeding on a greater variety of insects as well as plants. The turtles usually feed at or directly below the water's surface. They submerge their head, expelling bubbles through their nostrils and then swallow the food. This routine is completed eight to ten times before they rest and repeat it again.

Notes

The Kreffts River Turtle can grow quite large — 30 cm or more is not unusual — and have a life span of around 20–30 years. They generally do not hibernate as their warmer climate lets them remain active all year round; they also spend more time in the water than other varieties.

Males are mature at about seven to ten years when their shells are 106–115 mm in length. Their spermatogenic activity is highest in autumn to early summer, coinciding with mating which occurs in autumn, late winter and spring. Females usually mature by seven to eight years and have shells 150–155 mm in length. Ovulation occurs from late winter until mid summer. Three clutches of hard-shelled ellipsoid eggs are laid per season with each clutch containing 4–10 eggs. Recently mature females lay about 12 eggs per season whereas fully grown females may lay 30 eggs per season.

Nest sites are typically located close to the water in open sandy patches. After 69–74 days the turtles begin to hatch from their shells. This can take anywhere from 12–48 hours after the initial cracking of the shell. The newly hatched turtles crawl around for the first 12 hours before venturing into the water and usually do not eat within the first 48 hours.

The turtles are active throughout the year with seasonal cycles of activity correlating to the environmental temperature. They are diurnally active with peaks of activity in the mornings and afternoons. Growth is also seasonal with a cessation in the winter months. Juveniles grow much faster than adults, and females faster than males.

In Australia, the public require a basic reptiles licence to purchase these animals; taking from the wild is strictly prohibited.