# Snapping Turtle (*Chelydra serpentina*) The Snapping Turtle has a big, strong jaw and a tough shell. They are excellent at hiding in the water and can snap their jaws quickly if they feel threatened! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 445 - **Habitat:** Freshwater lakes, rivers, and swamps - **Also known as:** Common Snapping Turtle, Eastern Snapping Turtle ![Snapping Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426499/objects/5625.jpg) ## Appearance The Snapping Turtle has a large, dark, rough shell, often covered in algae. It features a long, serrated tail and a powerful, hooked jaw. Its body is typically dark green, brown, or black, helping it blend into muddy waters. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Chelydridae - **Genus:** Chelydra ## Interesting facts - Snapping turtles can live to be older than your grandparents! - Some can grow so big their shell is wider than a pizza! - Their powerful bite can easily snap a carrot in half! - They can breathe underwater using special patches in their mouths! ## Special abilities - **Aquatic Camouflage:** Snapping Turtle has a dark, often algae-covered shell that helps them blend into murky freshwater environments. - **Ambush Master:** Snapping Turtle can hide in mud and weeds, ambushing prey with its powerful jaws. - **Powerful Jaws:** Snapping Turtle has incredibly strong jaws that help them crush shells of mollusks and capture slippery fish. - **Shell-ter Skelter:** Snapping Turtle has a reduced bottom shell (plastron) that helps them move easily on land and in muddy bottoms. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-49 cm - **Weight:** 4.5-16 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-47 years - **Speed:** 1 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 11-83 - **Incubation:** 55-125 days ## Diet & Feeding An omnivore, it eats plants, fish, insects, and anything else it can catch. - **Age differences:** Young turtles eat more insects; adults eat more fish and larger prey. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Frogs, Aquatic plants, Insects, Snails, Carrion - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons raid nests for their eggs and prey on hatchlings. - **Hunts:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Snapping turtles ambush and eat adult bullfrogs. - **Hunts:** Bluegill Sunfish (*Lepomis macrochirus*) — They ambush sunfish, an important part of their diet. - **Eaten by:** [American Alligator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Large alligators can prey on adult snapping turtles. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Snapping Turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Snapping Turtle? 20-49 cm ### How much does Snapping Turtle weigh? 4.5-16 kg ### How long does Snapping Turtle live? 30-47 years ### How fast can Snapping Turtle move? 1 km/h ### What does Snapping Turtle eat? An omnivore, it eats plants, fish, insects, and anything else it can catch. ### How fast can Snapping Turtle swim? 5 km/h ### Where is Snapping Turtle usually found? Freshwater lakes, rivers, and swamps ## Where to spot - [Alabama City Wall Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alabama-city-wall-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [American Baptist College](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-baptist-college) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Ames Nowell State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ames-nowell-state-park) — Massachusetts, US · State Park - [Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District [View all places to see Snapping Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/snapping-turtle) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Snapping Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snapping-turtle)