How to Keep Eastern Long-Necked Turtles As Pets
The eastern long-necked turtle is native to eastern Australia. Although juvenile eastern long-necked turtles are often sold in pet stores, they are suitable only for an experienced reptile enthusiast and aquarist able to dedicate plenty of space, time and money to keeping an aquatic turtle. Specialized indoor housing is required. An outdoor pen for the warmer months is highly recommended. Eastern long-necked turtles are carnivores and must eat a varied diet.
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Things You'll Need
- Large aquarium
- Water filter
- Coral rubble substrate
- Basking surface
- Marine pH test kit
- Marine aquarium buffer
- Heat light
- Thermometer
- Vitamin D supplement
- Calcium supplement
- Reptile multivitamin
- Aquarium heater
- Commercial turtle food
- Prawns
- Bloodworms
- Whitebait
- Blackworms
- Crickets
- Earthworms
Instructions
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Eastern Long-Necked Turtle Care
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Purchase and set up an aquarium. You will need a tank at least 3 to 4 feet in length. Place a thin layer of clean coral rubble on the bottom of the aquarium. Add nonchlorinated water. The water depth must be at least the width of the turtle's shell. Ideally, it should be deeper.
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Address water quality and parameters. Add 1 cup of marine salt mix per 13 gallons of fresh water. Set the water pH to between 7.5 and 8.2, using your marine pH test kit and marine aquarium buffer. Use your aquarium heater to warm the water to between 60 and 68 degrees F. Ensure that ammonia and nitrite levels are low.
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3
Create a heat spectrum and basking areas. You can purchase a basking shelf or attach an extra sheet of glass to your aquarium with silicone glue. The basking surface should be covered in a sandy substrate of your choice. Install a heat light at the end of the cage where the basking area is located. Your turtle should be able to choose between basking in an area with light and heat or swimming in a cooler area. The temperature at basking level under the heat light should be no more than 78 degrees F.
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Purchase an eastern long-necked turtle from a reputable hobby breeder. If this is not an option, you may be able to purchase your turtle from a pet store. However, turtles sold in pet stores may not be as healthy as juveniles raised by hobby breeders.
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Place your turtle in his habitat. Ensure that he seems comfortable and is able to swim, climb onto the basking area and right himself if turned on his back.
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Feed your turtle a varied diet of commercial food, whitebait, prawns and various insects or terrestrial invertebrates. Add calcium, vitamin D and multivitamin supplements to the turtle's food weekly. Juveniles should be fed daily. Adult turtles should be fed more sparingly. A full-grown eastern long-necked turtle only needs to eat once a week. When you feed your turtle, remove all uneaten food after 1 hour.
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Maintain your aquarium properly. Test the water daily to ensure that the temperature, salt and pH are within the desired range. Maintain your water filter(s) according to the manufacturer's directions. Change all of the water periodically.
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Consider creating an outdoor pen for the warmer months. Outdoor habitats for eastern long-necked turtles should include a pond, a basking area and a dry shelter that will remain dry even during rainstorms. The fence around your turtle's pen should be at least 1 foot below the ground and 3 feet above the ground. It may be necessary to use wire mesh or netting to form a roof over the pond area in order to protect your turtle from predators.
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Tips & Warnings
Locate a veterinarian who sees aquatic turtles long before you ever need to take your turtle to a vet. Get advice and support by connecting with other turtle enthusiasts online and through local meetup groups. Check local laws and other regulations to ensure that it is legal to keep eastern long-necked turtles in your area. Always wash your hands after handling reptiles. The eastern long-necked turtle is also known as the eastern snake-necked turtle and may be labeled as such in some pet stores.
Handle your turtle only when absolutely necessary; excessive handling can cause stress or injuries. Never clean algae off your turtle's shell. Scrubbing the shell could cause a life-threatening infection. Don't purchase an eastern long-necked turtle if you've never previously kept an aquatic turtle. Many experienced reptile owners consider these turtles to be among the most difficult species to keep. If your turtle is ill, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian immediately. The eastern long-necked turtle may emit a foul smell if startled.
