Common Snapping Turtle           Chelydra serpentina

Beak and back ridges not pronounced as in the alligator snapping turtle.

The snapping turtle has an enormous head, thick legs and a long tail which is saw-toothed on the upper side. The carapace (top of shell) has three weak keels (ridges) that often have algae growing on them. The plastron (bottom of shell) is small. This turtle is unable to withdraw completely into its shell. The young turtle is black with some gray or olive spots. The adult is olive, gray or black.

This turtle is found in any permanent body of water. Although aquatic, this species is often encountered on land as it migrates from one body of water to another. The animal is very aggressive out of water and will attempt to bite. Bites are painful and leave large bruising in their wake. In water the snapper is calmer.

It spends much of its time on the bottom of a water body waiting for prey items to come close. It buries itself in the mud in winter, often near other snapping turtles. Most mating occurs in late spring. The female digs a nest in soil in early June. Eggs hatch in September and October. The snapping turtle eats most anything it can catch but will  also scavenge and eat vegetation.