Snapping Turtle (Formerly Common Snapping Turtle)
Scientific Name: Chelydra serpentinaFamily: Chelydridae
Return to Turtle Identification
Description & Size
- Large head and tail
- Reduced lower shell (plastron)
- Saw tooth like spikes on the sides and back of the upper shell (carapace)
- Shell length: 20.0-49.4 cm (7.9-19.4 in)
- Carapace color: brown, grey, or black
- Plastron color: yellow or cream
- Skin color: brown, grey, or dull yellow
Habitat
- Permanent bodies of water
Diet
- Omnivorous
- Anything they can catch
- Invertebrates
- Fish
- Frogs
- Birds
- Mammals
- Plant material
Life History
- Diurnal
- Active season: March – November
- Breeding season: late April – late summer (White and Murphy, 1973)
- Lays eggs
- 8-60 eggs per female
