Saw-shelled turtle — a side-necked freshwater turtle, from the ancient southern lineage that folds its neck sideways under the shell rim instead of pulling straight back. Snake-necks strike like their namesake; Murray short-necks and saw-shells are hardy all-rounders; South American sidenecks bring expressive, upturned “smiling” faces. Species as titled, care in common.
At a Glance
| Group | Side-necked turtles (Chelodina, Emydura, Phrynops and kin) |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 18–30 cm by species |
| Lifespan | 30–50 years |
| Housing | Aquarium from 120 cm with swimming depth and a haul-out |
| Water | 22–26 °C, well-filtered; basking spot ~32 °C with UVB |
| Diet | Carnivore-leaning omnivore: pellets, insects, fish, some greens |
Care Basics
Give real swimming room, oversized filtration (turtles are messy), a warm dry haul-out under UVB, and a varied protein-forward menu with calcium. Long-necked species are ambush hunters — feeding time is theatre. Robust, alert and quick to learn the keeper-equals-food equation, these are decades-long aquatic companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do they fold the neck sideways?
They’re pleurodires — the ancient Gondwanan turtle lineage. It’s 100 million years of doing things differently, alive in your aquarium.
Tank size honestly?
Start at 120 cm for most species and scale with the adult — water volume is the difference between easy keeping and constant cleaning.
Why Buy From EU Exotic Reptile Hub
- Captive-bred in Europe — no wild-caught animals, ever
- Live-arrival guarantee and health guarantee on every animal
- Verified feeding — we ship only established feeders, with a feeding record
- Lifetime care support from our keepers, one message away
Shipping Across the EU
We ship EU-wide with specialist live-animal couriers in insulated, heat- or cool-packed boxes, dispatched only when the weather forecast along the whole route is safe. You receive tracking on dispatch day and your animal typically arrives within 24 hours. See our shipping policy and FAQ for full details.
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