Coal Dam Park in Woodbridge, is the gold standard in wetland habitats for freshwater turtle populations. Located just a few hundred metres from Trillion Trees, on the opposite side of the Helena River (Mandoon Bilya), Coal Dam Park is a haven for the snake necked turtles (Chelodina oblonga).
Community groups recently hosted a "Turtles in Love" event at Coal Dam Park to celebrate the beginning of the breeding congregation.
Snake necked turtles are the only native freshwater turtle species found throughout metropolitan and suburban Perth. They have an important role to play in wetland and river health and they are considered to be the top predator in the underwater
food chain. The natural turtle diet includes frogs, fish and macroinvertebrates
Turtle hatchlings may also eat aquatic plants as well as midge and mosquito larvae.
During early autumn, snake necked turtles can be seen at Coal Dam Park engaging in mating rituals, including males pursuing females, gentle nose-touching and attempts to clasp onto the females’ shells. The turtles can also be observed basking on the timbers in the centre of the lake, which used to form part of a railway bridge.
From April onwards, baby snake-necked turtles will also be emerging from their nests and making their way to the water.
The Helena River corridor provides important nesting habitat for snake necked turtles, a short distance from the water. Citizen scientists are encouraged to log turtle observations and nesting behaviour via TurtleSat website to enable researchers to build up a better picture of population characteristics and breeding behaviours.
