Snapping Turtle

A snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large, freshwater turtle found throughout North America. They are known for their powerful, hooked jaws, long tail, and an inability to retract fully into their shells, which makes them aggressive when threatened.

Snapping turtles have a rugged, prehistoric appearance. Their shell, or carapace, is typically dark brown or black, and its surface is often covered in algae. Unlike most turtles, they have a relatively small plastron (the bottom shell), which leaves their legs and underside exposed. They have a long, muscular neck and a powerful hooked beak. Their tail is nearly as long as their body and is covered in distinctively serrated scales.

Snapping turtles are found in a wide variety of freshwater habitats, including ponds, lakes, rivers, and swamps. They are typically bottom-dwellers, often burying themselves in mud or sand with only their eyes and nostrils exposed. They are omnivores that eat a diverse diet of plants, aquatic insects, fish, and birds. They are also known to scavenge on carrion.

Due to their small plastron, snapping turtles cannot retreat into their shell for protection. When on land, they are known for their aggressive and defensive behavior, snapping quickly at anything that approaches. In the water, however, they are generally shy and will try to swim away from threats.