Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
Appearance 2
In snapping turtles the carapace is normally between 8 and 18 1/2 inches long. The shell color ranges from dark brown to tan and can even be black. Their necks, legs, and tails have a yellowish color and the head is dark. A snapping turtle's mouth is shaped like a strong, bony beak with no teeth.
Habitat 2
Snapping turtles live only in fresh or brackish water, but they lay their eggs on land. They prefer water with muddy bottoms and lots of vegetation so that they can hide more easily.
Behavior/Reproduction 2
Snapping turtles are solitary, which means that they live alone. Snapping turtles can be very vicious when removed from the water, but they become docile when placed back into the water. Snapping turtles like to bury themselves in mud with only their nostrils and eyes exposed. This burying is used to surprize prey.
Fun Fact 2
Snapping turtles have a small growth on the end of their tongues that looks like a wriggling worm. To capture fish, the snapping turtle opens its mouth to make the "worm" visible. When a fish comes to the worm, the snapping turtle grabs it with its strong jaws.
Citations 2
http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Chelydra_serpentina/
Sources and Credits
- (c) Karim Rezk, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/22242516@N06/2850135743
- (c) gburg2016, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Category | Amphibians and Reptiles |
|---|
