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  • Singapore Zoo
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  • Rote snake-necked turtle

Rote Snake-necked Turtle

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Quick Facts

Lifespan

LifespanUnknown for this species

Diet

DietAmphibians, fish, carrion, insects, mollusks and worms

Habitat

HabitatShallow freshwater lakes, wetlands and rice fields

Range

RangeRoti Island, Indonesia

Rote Snake-necked Turtles

rote snake-necked stretching its long neck under water

A Turtle Like No Other

The Rote snake-necked turtle is among the world's rarest freshwater turtles. It has a flattened, rounded shell with a grey-brown hue and an exceptionally long, flexible neck that can twist to reach any part of its body.

Unlike other turtles, it cannot fully retract its head into its shell. Instead, it bends its neck sideways, leaving one side exposed to predators like the estuarine crocodile.

To defend itself, it may actually strike backward with a powerful bite!

rote snake-necked hide in the undergrowth

Threats From The Trade

Even before it was scientifically described, this species was heavily over-collected for the international pet trade. Its rarity led to a legal trade ban in 2001, yet illegal capture continues.

Many are mislabelled as New Guinea snake-necked turtles, another legally protected species, to evade restrictions.

rote snake-necked on the leaves under water

A Race Against Extinction

Today, only two or three wild populations remain, restricted to a mere 70 km² in Rote Island’s central highlands. While the turtle faces few natural predators, habitat loss and poaching remain critical threats.

In 2004, it was listed under CITES Appendix II, highlighting the urgent need for conservation action.

Our Conservation Work

A First For Rote Turtles

Singapore Zoo houses Asia’s only insurance colony for the Rote snake-necked turtle. Our turtles, sent from breeding programmes in the U.S. and Austria in 2015, help safeguard the species.

After years of planning, 13 turtles were repatriated to Indonesia in September 2021.

This joint effort, led by MOEF Indonesia and BBKSDA NTT, with support from Mandai Nature, Singapore Zoo, and WCS-IP, marked the first repatriation of its kind - a major milestone for turtle conservation.

The IUCN Status

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

Breeding Breakthrough

Breeding Breakthrough

Following the first repatriation in 2021, breeding efforts of the Rote snake-necked turtle at a specially-built facility in Kupang, constructed with Mandai Nature’s support, proved successful - a significant milestone in the conservation of the species.

Our staff travelled to Indonesia to visit key sites for the possible release of the turtles and shared expertise with the teams from BBKSDA and WCS-IP.

The IUCN Status

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

Repatriating A Species

Repatriating A Species

In August 2023, 33 more Rote snake-necked turtles were repatriated from Singapore Zoo to Indonesia - the second such effort after 2021. Upon arrival, the turtles were transferred to a breeding facility in Kupang, constructed in 2020 with Mandai Nature’s support.

Successful nesting from the first repatriation has also led to hatchlings, with ongoing monitoring and community engagement ensuring long-term conservation impact. 

The IUCN Status

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

One Plan Approach

One Plan Approach

Together, Mandai Wildlife Group and Mandai Nature follow IUCN’s “One Plan Approach” to conservation, combining expertise to protect threatened species like the Rote snake-necked turtle.

This strategy safeguards wildlife in their natural habitats while also providing a safety net and raising awareness for species under human care.

The IUCN Status

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

Building A Future

Building A Future

Following the One Plan Approach, we also support capacity building for our conservation partners, along with habitat protection and surveillance to ensure their suitability for the turtles’ reintroduction.

Our collaborative efforts with other zoos to establish insurance colonies for critically endangered species, like the Rote snake-necked turtle, are proving both valuable and encouraging as we continue working to secure their future.

The IUCN Status

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.

DD

Data Deficient

Unknown risk of extinction

LC

Least Concern

At relatively low risk of extinction

NT

Near Threatened

Likely to become vulnerable in the near future

VU

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

EN

Endangered

At very high risk of extinction in the wild

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

EW

Extinct in the Wild

Survives only in captivity

EX

Extinct

No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity

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