Common Snapping Turtle
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Scientific Name
Chelydra serpentina - Visit ITIS for full scientific classification.
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Description
Common snapping turtle close-up. © 2002 Stan Gielewski (www.chelydra.org)
Common snapping turtle. © Garold W. Sneegas- Large aquatic turtle with a massive head.
- Their top shell can be anywhere from 8 to over 19 inches in length.
- Average weight has been reported to be about 45 pounds, but in captivity they can grow over 75 pounds.
- The tail-end of its shell is heavily serrated.
- The tail is very long, potentially longer than the length of the shell.
- Usually a black, brown, or tan color.
- Skin can be a pale cream to yellowish color compared to the dark-colored shell.
- Large legs, heavy claws, and webbed toes.
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Habitat
- Highly adaptable, found in a wide range of freshwater and brackish habitats.
- Rarely found basking in the sun, but spends most of the time resting buried in the mud, or sediment on the bottom of a water body.
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Invasion Pathways and Distribution
- Native to the eastern and central U.S.
- Now found in areas throughout the U.S., including California.
- The means of introduction to California is unknown, but likely due to release by pet owners.
- See USGS for a map of current U.S. distribution.
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Life History
- Adults become sexually mature at around 4 to 6 years.
- Females travel on land to build nests and lay eggs.
- Egg laying usually occurs in the summer months.
- It is estimated that individuals can live over 50 years.
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Impacts
- Extremely adaptable, has a diverse diet, feeding on anything that it can swallow, including both plants and animals.
- Their impact is unknown, but it has the potential to be a food competitor and predator of native turtles.
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References and Useful Links
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