South-western snake-necked turtles are only found in Australia and are seen here in Albany daring life and limb to cross a busy roadway in order to lay their eggs and continue the survival of their species.

Signs are erected to warn drivers of the migrating turtles, and most vehicles stop or slow down to allow the turtles to cross safely.

This video shows a female snake-necked turtle crossing the road, digging her nest hole, and then crossing the lawn at Lake Seppings to return to the lake and safety.

South-western snake-necked turtles (Chelodina colliei) are only found in south-western Australia. They live in a range of seasonal and permanent freshwater habitats and are classified as “near endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Female Snake-necked Turtles lay their eggs in the southern hemisphere Spring (September-November), usually in sandy soil within 500 to 800 metres from their wetland habitat. They often risk their lives to lay their eggs, particularly if they have to cross a busy road to do so. Lake Seppings in Albany on the south coast of Western Australia supports a healthy breeding population of south-western snake-necked turtles. Female turtles choose to lay their eggs in sand dunes on the western side of busy Golf Links Road, and some are killed by vehicles each year. Signs are erected to warn drivers of the migrating turtles, and most vehicles stop or slow down to allow the turtles to cross safely. This video shows a female snake-necked turtle crossing the road, digging her nest hole and then crossing the lawn at Lake Seppings to return to the lake and safety.