Chelodina mccordi mccordi

(Rhodin, 1994)

Vernacular names
English : Roti Island snake-necked turtle
French : Tortue à cou de serpent de Roti

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Chelidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a shell length of about 21 cm. Very long neck (up to 15 cm) with wart-like projections on neck and head. Shell is oval and wide, olive to dull brown in color. Plastron is light yellowish-grey. Eyes have white rings.

Range and habitat
This subspecies is endemic to the island of Roti, Indonesia. The species also occurs in Timor-Leste. Lives in shallow freshwater wetlands and lakes, also nearby rice fields.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species has been trapped to near extinction on Roti and isn’t much safer on Timor Leste. Illegal trade is the main cause of the species’ extinction.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP¨in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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