Classification

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Crytodira
Family: Chelydridae
Genus: Chelydra

Physical Description

Common snapping turtles are colored light brown to black. They have a 'spiked' shell, while young, that eventually flattens with age. The rear edge of the shell retains a saw toothed appearace. The plastron is relatively small which results in exposure of the majority of the turtles extremities. Common snappers have long, toothed, prehensile tails which help them remain stationary in swift water. The skin is light gray or light brown with yellowish tint and is covered with tubercles in the areas of the neck and legs. The head is large and dark in color.

Size

When hatched, these turtles have a shell length of approximately 1 inch. Like most reptiles, they continue to grow through out their lives, some eventually reach shell length of 18 inches. The average common snapping turle in the wild has a shell length of 10-12 inches. In captivity the weight of a common snapping turtle can reach 75 or 80 lbs but more commonly in the 15 to 35lb range.

Reproduction

Mating season begins in early spring and ends in late fall. The exact amount of time needed for the eggs to form is hard to determine since the female can store sperm for a number of years. The female digs a nest in loose soil for the eggs which can number in the eighties (but are usually around 25). After laying the eggs in the 3-7 inch deep hole, she covers them with the excavated soil and leaves them to behind. In 9-18 weeks (depending on climate), the eggs hatch. The internal nest temperature determines the sex of the hatchlings. Below 79 F tends to produce males, above 79 F results in both male and female turtles.

Natural Habitat

Any fresh or brackish body of water can be called home by the common snapping turtle. However, large still bodies of water with mud or sand bottoms and plenty of cover are preferred. They will tend to burrow into the bottom in an area shallow enough for them to reach the surface by only extending their necks.

Diet

Snapping turtles are omnivores and will eat almost anything they can swallow. Fish, snakes, lizards, other turtles, insects, carrion, vegetation, and frogs are common. Adults may also, on occasion, consume waterfowl if the oppertunity arrises.

When still young, snappers get most of their food by foraging. As they age, they wait for the food to come to them. They lie very still, usually covered in mud or algae, and ambush whatever swims or floats by. Snapping turtles also have a very good sense of smell and help to keep their aquatic environment healthy by consuming dead or sick animals.

Range

Common snapping turtles can be found naturally from southern Florida to areas in Canada and from the US east coast to the far midwest. Western states, such as California and Nevada, are also home to the common snapper but it is an introduced species.

Alligator Snapping Turtle - Macroclemys Temmincki
 

Classification

Phylum: Chelonia
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Crytodira
Family: Macroclemys

Physical Description

At birth, alligator snappers are usually dark gray or black. At adulthood, they range in color from light brown to gray. The shell of this turtle remains 'spiky' and is usually covered in vegetation in the wild. The eyes resemble a sunburst pattern. The neck and tail of this turtle is very long and similar to the common snapping turtle. Other characteristics such as plastron size and skin description are similar to the common snapping turtle.

Size

These are the largest of the fresh water turtles with a shell length up to 35 inches and a massive weight of up to 250 lbs (usually in near 150 lbs). Hatchling sizes are similar to the common snapping turtle.

Reproduction

The female alligator snapping turtle lays 30 to 40 eggs in loose soil near a body of water. The eggs hatch in 9-18 weeks. Like the common snapping turtle, sex is determined by the temperature of the nest.

Natural Habitat

Alligator snapping turtles have the same type of habitat within their range as common snapping turtles.

Diet

Consists of the same types of food as the common snapping turtle.

Range

These turtles can be found primarily in the deep south. They range from Florida, west to central Texas and north to Kansas, Illinois, and southwest Indiana.