Snapping Turtle

Organisms / Vertebrates / Reptiles

Chelydra serpentina

Crossing the Everglades Park Rd between the Pay-Hay-Okee Overlook, Everglades National Park (25.442N, 80.784W) and Mahogany Hammock, Everglades National Park (25.324N, 80.832W)

March 24, 2006

Photograph by Joshua Bartholomew

 

Descriptive Information

    Field Marks: The domed and oval carapace can be smooth or have three rows of keels and is dark brown or black. The plastron is yellow and cross-shaped (Alden, Cech, Nelson). It has a very large head and a long neck. Small pointed knobs are evident on the neck of the Florida species.
    Size: 12-14 inches (30-36 cm) long; 7-9 inches (18-23 cm) wide.
    General Habitat: Freshwater systems that have a high level of particulate matter on the bottom.
    Range: Throughout North America.

Field Observations
As we were driving down a road in a marl prairie, Dr. Atkins spotted a turtle on the road. We quickly stopped and got out. Carrying the turtle off the road to safety, we were able to get a very close view of this amazing creature. It sat in one place looking at our group for several minutes before moving around some. Even when prodded with a stick, the turtle did not snap. Only when a carrot was dangled in front of its face did the turtle snap. It is of interest that the turtle never retracted its head during the whole ordeal. This is characteristic of the snapping turtles’ bold disposition. With their strong, sharp beaks, these turtles can easily defend themselves from most predators, except alligators, which can smash a turtle shell with one bite. In comparison to a box turtle, the snapping turtle has poor defense in its shell. Large regions of the underbody are covered with leathery skin, thus leaving vulnerable spots even when the snapping turtle is fully retracted into its shell.

References
Alden, Peter, Richard B. Cech, Amy Leventer, Gil Nelson, and Wendy B. Zomlefer. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. 5th Ed. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2003.

Additional Photographs
Cross-shape
Long neck
Snapping

Page developed by Joshua Bartholomew and Casey Graves