Centro Herpetológico Uruguay
Breeding, Research and Education
Director: DAVID FABIUS

TURTLES

Side necks (Family Chelidae)

Hydromedusa tectifera

The snake necked turtle, we have many years experience breeding them. A very long necked turtle, sucks in prey with water like a mata mata, to that purpose the skin of the throat is folded like that of a whale and expands suddenly.

 

Tips: Hydromedusa tectifera is a species from temperate lands: keep between 15 and 28 degrees Celsius (59 to 82 F). They may stand lower temperatures, but better don’t try it. Large H. tectifera will swallow underwater whole dead mice.
 

Newly hatched baby, notice belly button (umbilicus) and transversal folds of the plastron.

The long neck helps
in the hatching process.

Click on the left pic to see closeup of Hydromedusa tectifera hatching

If you have any questions pertaining husbandry or breeding of the above species, I will be happy to help.

- Email: infofabius@yahoo.com

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