The Argentine snake-necked turtle (Hydromedusa tectifera),[2] also known commonly as the South American snake-necked turtle[2] is a species of turtle in the family Chelidae. The species is known for the long neck to which its common names refer. Despite appearances, the Argentine snake-necked turtle is probably more closely related to the mata mata (Chelus fimbriatus) than to the Australian snake-necked turtles in the genus Chelodina.[3] H. tectifera is found in northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil.[4] Not much is known about it, as it has not been extensively researched.[5] It is a popular pet in the exotic pet trade.
| Argentine snake-necked turtle | |
|---|---|
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| Hydromedusa tectifera in an aquarium in Japan | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Pleurodira |
| Family: | Chelidae |
| Genus: | Hydromedusa |
| Species: | H. tectifera
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| Binomial name | |
| Hydromedusa tectifera Cope, 1869
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| Synonyms[1] | |
Anatomy and morphology
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H. tectifera can reach up to 28 centimeters (11 inches) in straight carapace length. Its carapace is strongly keeled, and it can also be distinguished by black and yellowish markings along its head and neck. Generally, the females are larger than the males which often have larger tails.[3][6]
Natural history
editThe Argentine snake-necked turtle lives in slow-moving ponds, rivers, streams, and marshes, preferably with aquatic vegetation. In coastal areas, it will enter brackish water, and it may hibernate in colder areas of its distribution. It is carnivorous and eats snails, aquatic insects, fish, and amphibians. It attacks its prey with a combination of matamata-like vacuum suction and the stabbing neck motions of other snake-necked turtles.[3] Courtship and mating has not been extensively observed in this species, although it is known that nesting occurs in the spring at the riverbanks. The eggs are 34 mm × 22 mm (1.34 in × 0.87 in), white, and brittle-shelled. Hatchlings have a straight carapace length of about 34 mm (1.3 in), and have a carapace which is more wrinkled than that of an adult.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 335. doi:10.3897/vz.57.e30895.
- ^ a b Zipcodezoo.com Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine URL accessed March 24, 2007.
- ^ a b c Tortoise.org - Argentine Snake-necked Turtle URL accessed March 24, 2007.
- ^ Hydromedusa URL accessed March 28, 2007.
- ^ ANIMAL HOUSE SYSTEM FOR FRESHWATER TURTLE URL accessed March 29, 2007.
- ^ a b Turtles of the World Archived 2007-12-08 at the Wayback Machine URL accessed March 28, 2007.
Further reading
edit- Cope ED (1869). "Seventh Contribution to the Herpetology of Tropical America". Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 11: 147-192. (Hydromedusa tectifera, new species, pp. 147-148).
External links
edit- Species Hydromedusa tectifera at The Reptile Database
Data related to Hydromedusa tectifera at Wikispecies