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Description:
Snakeneck turtles are
very unique looking turtles. They are a darker color,
usually a grayish color. They have a severely long neck
that is not proportionate to their body. The species of
tectifera are one of the more larger snakenecks as they can
reach over 11 inches long. Most are much smaller around the
6-7 inch range. These turtles have black lines on the side
of its head and a yellow white streak going from the
nostrils to the edge of the neck. Females reach a larger
size and the males are usually smaller. The plastron on the
male will be slightly concave which is centered on the
midline of rear plastral scutes. |
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Distribution:
Hydromedusa Tectifera (snakeneck
turtle) are found in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and
southern Brazil. |
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Habitat:
They tend to hang around
the bottom of shallow waters, mainly marshes, lakes, streams
and rivers. Some may even wonder into brackish estuaries.
Their long neck allows them to practically snorkel through
the water. They can be at the bottom of the water source
and quickly reach their head up and get air without having
to swim.
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Indoor Housing: These
beautiful snake necked turtles do fairly well as hatchlings
or small turtles in a 20 gallon long with proper
filtration. Make sure your filter is shooting the water up
and out of the water allowing it to crash down on the
water’s surface placing oxygen back into the water.
Lighting is also a necessity. UVB full spectrum lighting
should be used as well as a heat bulb for a basking spot on
top of a log or rock. Make sure the log or rock that you
have in the enclosure for the turtle can sit completely dry
and not allow any water from the filter splash and hit it as
this will prevent the turtle from getting fully dry. All
turtles should be allowed an area to completely dry off
their skin under a heat lamp that sits about a 10-12 inches
above the basking area to prevent fungus growth on their
skin and shell. A day and night schedule should be set up
for your snakeneck. 13 hours of day light each day and
around 11 hours of night fall. Anything close to this
schedule would do fine. Do what you can to duplicate their
habitat in every way possible. 6-8 inches deep should be
suitable for your tectifera. |
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Feeding:
These amazing looking
turtles are mainly carnivorous. They chase small fish,
small amphibians and snails which are all found in the
water. They will take in a worm as well if they approach
the water. They have been seen eating brand name foods such
as reptomin, even few LTC and wild caught turtles. These
turtles can be hand fed as their bite is very weak. Other
foods offered can be raw and cooked meat, turkey bacon,
feeder goldfish, crickets, shrimp of any kind and all sizes
of Aquamax trout chow made by Purina. |
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Breeding:
Breeding has not really
been observed all that much by this species in captivity.
Very few captive bred babies are available in the pet
market. Tectifera are most likely to breed right after a
cooling period as most turtles are. So if your able to cool
down your turlte until around 50 degrees for a month or so,
you should be fine. Keep the male and female separate
during this time to hopefully make your male more aggressive
when placed together. Very clean and filtered water would
help as well. Try placing some artificial or silk plants in
the enclosure to help make the turtle feel at home. Nesting
occurs usually in spring like most turtles. Upon hatching,
the babies seem to have wrinkled carapaces when compared
with adults. |
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Hibernation:
These turtles are
somewhat able to hibernate. They can stay outside in
southern parts of the United States and are more likely able
to withstand temps that drop down in to the 40’s for a
little while but would prefer it to only last for a short
time. Cold temps for too long might kill your tectifera.
During the short cooling, your tectifera will remain
underwater and at the bottom and appear really sluggish.
Unless you are trying to breed this species, there is really
no reason to hibernate these turtles as hibernation is a
risky time where your turtle could possibly get sick. |
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AL ROACH |
