Southwestern snake-necked turtle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southwestern snake-necked turtle |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chelodina
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| Species: |
oblonga
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The southwestern snake-necked turtle, also called the narrow-breasted snake-necked turtle or oblong turtle (Chelodina oblonga), is a special kind of turtle. It belongs to the Chelidae family. This turtle lives only in the southwestern part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
Scientists have successfully bred this turtle in zoos, like the one in Cologne Zoological Garden.
Why it's Called That
The scientific name for this turtle, colliei, was given to honor a Scottish doctor and naturalist named Alexander Collie. He was a person who studied nature.
How Scientists Name Animals
Naming animals can be tricky! This turtle has a very interesting and sometimes confusing history with its name.
Long ago, in 1841 and 1856, a scientist named John Edward Gray described two different snake-necked turtles. One was from northern Australia, and the other was from southwestern Australia.
Later, some scientists thought they were the same species. But over time, new research showed they were indeed different. Scientists then had to figure out which name belonged to which turtle.
It took a lot of work and discussion among scientists. They even asked a special group called the ICZN for help. This group sets the rules for naming animals.
Eventually, new studies using modern science, like looking at DNA, helped clear things up. Scientists found that the correct scientific name for the southwestern snake-necked turtle is Chelodina oblonga. The turtle from northern Australia is now called Chelodina rugosa. This shows how science keeps learning and sometimes changes what we thought we knew!
See also
In Spanish: Tortuga de cuello de serpiente del suroeste para niños
