Keeping LONG-NECKED TURTLES Chelodina species
by Darren Green

ISBN 0 9586050 3 3
2000 Australian Reptile Keeper Publications

Keeping SHORT-NECKED TURTLES Emydura species
by Darren Green

ISBN 0 9586050 4 1
2000 Australian Reptile Keeper Publications

* Reviewed by Russ Gurley, TTPG

Having just arrived in the hobby, these two small books will be good additions to the turtle hobbyist's library. Though few people have access to these animals outside of Australia, the enclosures and care presented can be transferred easily to Chelodina siebenrocki , The Indonesian Long-necked Turtle and Emydura subglobosa , The Pink-bellied Side-necked Turtle, two species that are commonly available to hobbyists. The information is packed into these books and there is a good selection of both color and black and white photos. I enjoyed seeing the author's indoor and outdoor turtle ponds and enclosures as it is always of interest to read how turtle keepers in other areas design, maintain, and filter their turtle enclosures.

Keeping LONG-NECKED TURTLES Chelodina species by Darren Green

This book focuses on the Long-necked Turtles which are also called Snake-necked Turtles by many turtle keepers. The look into the lives of these hardy, alert, and somewhat aggressive turtles was in depth for such a small book. Species profiles of seven species are within, including the impressive Chelodina expansa , the largest species. We are also introduced to the bizarre Chelodina rugosa , a species that lays its eggs under water! The impressive sizes and incredibly elongated necks of these turtles are nicely portrayed in both black and white and color photos. Quite unusual is a photo of a Long-necked Turtle eating a yabbie (crayfish)! Interestingly, they grab them head-first and swallow them whole.

Surprisingly, this book has no Table of Contents. It is however, full of lots of information if you are prepared to search for it. It seems to be helpful if you can sit down and go through it completely first, marking areas of interest with post-it notes. Though only 30 pages, it is full of ideas, care tips, and helpful hints.

Sections include:

Profiles of specific species

Behavior

Recognizing a healthy turtle

Handling

Indoor enclosures

Outdoor enclosures

Lighting

Heating

Filtration

Feeding

Breeding

Egg care

Juvenile care

Ailments and disorders

Bibliography

The ailments and disorders portions of both books are concise and straightforward. The conditions, disorders, and trauma which befall turtles and the treatments presented will be helpful to turtle keepers. Tips will easily translate to species from all over the planet.

Mating, egg-laying, and incubation are also covered. This book promotes the removing of the eggs from the incubator and weighing and measuring them throughout the process of incubation. (We, however, do not feel that handling incubating eggs is in their best interest.)

Again, these small books are full of information and are arranged in a similar manner with species profiles and a variety of tips and techniques for keeping these fascinating turtles properly in captivity. As interest in Australian species continues to grow on the herpetological scene, these two books will no doubt be an important part of a turtle keeper's book collection.