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Snapping Turtle

(Chelydra s. serpentina)

Photo Courtesy of World Chelonia Trust

The Common Snapping Turtle is 8 - 18 inches in length. They have a massive head and powerful jaws. The color of the carapace is tan to dark brown with an easily identifiable serration at the back of the carapace above the tail. The plastron is relatively small is usually yellow or tan in color. Wild specimens have been found exceeding 45 pounds.

Mating occurs from April to September but usually peaks in June. Generally 25 - 50 eggs are laid, though as many as 83 have been recorded. The young hatch 9 - 18 weeks later and will often over-winter in the nest. Females can store sperm for years and will often travel far from water to lay their eggs.

These turtles are aquatic and can be found in freshwater ponds and lakes. They prefer soft muddy bottoms with large amounts of vegetation. They feed upon invertebrates, fish, carrion, aquatic plants, birds and small mammals.

They are often found on roads moving to another feeding area or to make a nest to lay eggs. many people will try to help the turtle across the road and will sometimes become injured from the powerful jaws. If possible please leave them alone. If that is not possible it is best to move the turtle by the tail in the direction that it is currently heading. If you move it to the location it was coming from it will more that likely just attempt to cross the road again.

Remember that in many places it is illegal to take wildlife out of the wild without the proper permits from local, state, or federal authorities. Please do not release any captive reptiles or amphibians into the wild as this will disrupt the natural order of our environment. See our amphibian and reptile adoptions page for more information on what to do with unwanted herps.

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