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Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina
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| Snapping
turtles are the largest of the freshwater turtles inhabiting the United States.
Their general form is well known. The dull, rough carapace or upper shell, with
its heavy keels and marginal serrations, the proportionately huge and sinister
head, and the long, fleshy tail, with its alligator-like crest, combine to make
these turtles unique. The plastron, or flat belly portion of the shell, is insignificantly
small and narrow and affords comparatively no protection, but these big turtles
do not seek to withdraw the head and limbs like their smaller and weaker cousins
like box turtles. |
snapping turtle closeup, Chelydra serpentina
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| Snapping
turtles are bold and aggressive fighters and their massive, sharp-edged jaws cause
them to be the terror of most of the aquatic and semi-aquatic creatures. The common
snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, can be larger than any other species of
North American turtle, except the alligator snapping turtle, Marcochelys lacertina.
Adult specimens of the alligator snapper can reach a weight of 130 to 140 pounds!
Large specimens of the common snapper can weigh forty pounds and such would have
a carapace, or shell, about fourteen inches long. Both are a fresh water inhabitants,
and the common turtle has a range from Southern Canada and the United States generally
east of the Rocky Mountains; southward through Mexico to Ecuador. |
| The
turtle's shell is very sharply serrated in the rear. There are three blunt, broken
keels, rising as tubercles at the rear margins of the shields through which they
pass. The shell of old individuals is quite smooth. With young specimens there
are radiating lines or ridges from the higher portions of the keels. Very young
specimens are exceedingly rough. The plastron is small and narrow, exposing a
great amount of the turtle's fleshy parts. The under-surface of the tail is covered
with large shields. As with all of the very aquatic turtles, the feet are broad and extensively webbed. |
common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina
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Both front and rear pairs are provided with large and coarse nails. Most characteristic
about the snapping turtles is it's huge and powerful head. The upper and lower
mandibles terminate in strong hooks. Though the eyes are comparatively small,
they have very good vision. The head and tail cannot be completely withdrawn into
the shell. |
| The
snapping turtle's appearance includes a carapace in dull olive or dark brown,
with little or no markings, and a dull yellow plastron. The upper portion of the
head is very dark as is the upper surface of the legs and tail which are yellowish
underneath. |
| Sinister
in appearance and equally vicious as its looks imply, the snapping turtle is one
of the most familiar of the North American reptiles. It inhabits slow running
and muddy, rivers, streams, ponds and marshes. Very old specimens are sometimes
so bloated and overburdened with fat that their fleshy parts protrude beyond the
margin of the shell and so hinder the progress of the limbs that the reptile is
almost helpless when removed from the water. Specimens in this condition are said
to be excellent as food. In early 20th century America, large numbers of snapping
turtles were sold in the food markets as table meat. |
common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina
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| With
the exception of the soft-shelled turtles in the genus Trionyx, the snapping turtles
are rather unique among turtles. They defend themselves in a manner similar to
snakes by "striking" at the object of anger. The rapidity with which the head
is lurched forward rivals the dexterity of the rattlesnake. So quick is the movement
that the eye is barely able to follow it. Backed up by a pair of sharp-edged,
cutting mandibles and jaw muscles of tremendous power, the strike of these dangerous
brutes may be followed by a serious injury. The amputation of a finger by a medium-sized
specimen, or a hand by a large adult, would be an accomplishment of no difficulty. |
snapping turtle hissing and biting
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| These
turtles typically lie partially embedded in the mud of the river bottom. In this
pose, the rapid movements of the head and neck are important for the capture of
fish which form the majority of their food. The snapping turtle is an exceedingly
voracious brute, and is not particular as to its dinner. Young waterfowl are stalked
from beneath the surface, seized by a dart of the jaws and pulled below to drown
and be quickly torn to pieces. The turtle is carnivorous. It never feeds unless
underwater, but it will sometimes seize prey on the bank of a stream and then
retreat to the water to dine. |
common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina
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baby snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina
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| As
a captive the snapping turtle feeds readily and lives for many years. It will
take food from the hand that feeds it, but most specimens snap viciously when
handled. Though there aren't a lot of good reasons to do this, the safest way
to handle a large snapper is to pick it up by the tail and hold it far away from
one's body. They can be saved from certain death in rural roadways in this manner.
Despite your good intentions, the Snapping Turtle may not appreciate being handled,
and can manuever it's head far over it's back. They can also strike a considerable
distance sideways. It is dangerous to hold a large specimen by the shell. Small
snappers may be safely handled by grasping them by the rear portion of the shell
which removes fingers from the immediate vicinity of jaws. |
| In
the early summer, the female leaves her watery home and prowls around for a place
to deposit her eggs. She often wanders many feet from the water. After selecting
a damp spot, she scoops away the dirt to form a hole into which she crawls and
moves about until the loose soil falls back over her. This way she's hidden until
up to two dozen eggs are deposited. As she crawls out of the nest, the dirt that
fell on top of her shell slides off and is left covering the eggs. The eggs are
perfectly round, white and have a thin, hard shell. |
baby snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina
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| Being
aquatic the shells of many snapping turtles become coated with moss. The turtle
may look much like a flat stone as it partially buries itself in the muddy bottom
of shallow water. Here they remain for hours, poking the extreme tip of the snout
from the water to breathe. They're able to remain for long periods entirely submerged
and will dive to the deepest portions of rivers where they prowl along the bottom
in search of food. |
The
snapping turtle is a unique and fascinating native American species. Next time
you're out by your local lake or pond, keep your eyes peeled for a snout poking
up from the depths below.
Andy Williams / CritterZone.com
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snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina
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