As today’s Ragtag Daily Prompt is diurnal, I thought I would post a couple of photos of the eastern long-necked turtle.   The (Australian) eastern long-necked turtle is a sun-worshipper.  It is a cold-blooded, diurnal animal.  These small fresh-water turtles are most active mid-morning and afternoon once they have warmed up.     

Here it is, basking in the sun.

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Turtles are carnivorous.  They are scavengers and will eat dead fish, as well as dead animals that have fallen into the water.  In this way, they play a vital role keeping our waterways clean and healthy.

The eastern long-necked turtle is not listed as endangered, but still their numbers are estimated to have declined by 91-per-cent in parts of the Murray River in the period since 1978.  Foxes and motor vehicles account for a significant proportion of turtle deaths. More frequent and severe droughts are also contributing to hatchlings becoming trapped in their nests.  Dry weather causes nests to harden like concrete and the little hatchings are unable to dig their way out.

Locals and visitors to Australia can get involved in turtle conservation by helping scientists to map nest and turtle sightings (check out the app here).  I might even download the app myself now that I know about it.  Check it out.

Kind Regards
Tracy

Further Reading:
http://animalia.bio/eastern-long-necked-turtle
https://www.publish.csiro.au/zo/Fulltext/ZOv66n1_IN
https://www.publish.csiro.au/ZO/ZO17065
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-11-02/australian-freshwater-turtles-face-threat-of-nest-imprisonment/10452748
https://www.turtlesat.org.au/turtlesat/default.aspx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16 thoughts on “Sun Worshipper”

  1. I admire the turtles’s survival for nearly 200 million years. In North America baby turtles are kept as pets and this pet trade is one of many threats to turtle survival. Gorgeous photographs Tracy.

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    1. They have been remarkably resilient up until this point. We should be so lucky to thrive that long.

      It is illegal to take turtles from the wild here, Sid. But there are registered breeders and licences are required to keep them. Unfortunately the red-eared slider turtle has been imported illegally and is proving quite a pest. Sightings of these must be reported. Not sure how well this is known though.

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  4. He is a cute little guy, Tracy. The beach (all the condos/bars/restaurants) had to change their lights to protect our little turtles that lay their eggs in the sand. The areas are off-limits to beach goers and patrolled to make sure as many hatchlings as possible can make it out to sea by not heading the wrong way–to the lights of the condos/bars/restaurants.

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    1. It’s lovely that your condos/bars/restaurants are keen to help the turtles. Such a small thing to do that can make a big difference. Some years the lights at our parliament have to be dimmed to avoid confusing our bogong moths on their migration. Not this year though. The moths haven’t shown up. 😦

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