Details
Chelydra serpentina
The common snapping turtle is a robust freshwater turtle of the Nearctic. Diurnal and mostly solitary, it uses muddy waters for a broad omnivorous diet.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It lives in ponds, lakes, marshes, slow rivers, and muddy canals. Aquatic plants, submerged wood, and soft bottoms suit it well.
Shell length is about 20-50 cm and weight about 4.5-16 kg. A rugged shell, long tail, large head, and powerful jaws are characteristic.
Underwater it often walks quietly along the bottom, but on land it can bite defensively when threatened. Individuals range alone through wetland habitats.
It is omnivorous, eating fish, amphibians, invertebrates, carrion, and aquatic plants. It both ambushes prey and searches for food.
Females dig nests in soil or sand, sometimes away from water. Hatchlings emerge and travel to water on their own.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. Long life and slow maturity mean road mortality and heavy harvest can affect local populations.
