# Typical Snapping Turtles (*Chelydra*) Typical snapping turtles are big reptiles that live in water and on land. They have strong jaws and a tough shell, making them unique and interesting creatures to discover! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Typical Snapping Turtles](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chelydra_serpentina_USGS.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jeff Lovich; Original uploader was Kpjas at pl.wikipedia, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chelydra_serpentina_USGS.jpg) ## Appearance The Typical Snapping Turtle has a large, rugged, dark brown or olive-green shell with a saw-toothed rear edge. Its powerful head features a pointed snout and strong, hooked jaws. A long, muscular tail, often as long as its shell, distinguishes it from many other turtles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Chelydridae - **Genus:** Chelydra ## Interesting facts - Baby snapping turtles are only the size of a quarter when they hatch! - Despite their tough look, female snapping turtles dig perfect nests for their eggs using only their hind legs! - Some snapping turtles can stay underwater for hours by lowering their heart rate and metabolism! - They can eat almost anything, even plants and dead animals they find! ## Special abilities - **Powerful Bite:** Typical Snapping Turtles can deliver a bone-crushing bite because of their strong jaws that help them defend themselves and catch prey. - **Camouflage Master:** Typical Snapping Turtles has a dark, algal-covered shell that helps them blend perfectly into murky pond bottoms, surprising unsuspecting prey. - **Long Reach:** Typical Snapping Turtles can extend their neck quickly to grab prey because of their flexible neck bones that help them strike from a distance. - **Underwater Patience:** Typical Snapping Turtles can wait motionless for hours because their low metabolism allows them to hold their breath for extended periods underwater. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-47 cm - **Weight:** 4.5-16 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-47 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 20-40 - **Incubation:** 75-120 days - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m ## Diet & Feeding They eat almost anything they can catch or find, from fish and frogs to plants and dead animals. - **Age differences:** Young turtles eat more insects; adults hunt larger fish and small animals. - **Primary Foods:** fish, frogs, crayfish, aquatic plants, waterfowl, carrion - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Preys on frogs found in its aquatic habitat. - **Hunts:** Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Ambushes ducklings swimming near the surface. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons often raid nests to eat their eggs. - **Eaten by:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — Large pike may opportunistically eat small hatchlings. - **Eaten by:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Hatchlings can be prey for wading birds. ## Traits - [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. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate If you see a snapping turtle, watch from a distance. They can bite if they feel scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Typical Snapping Turtles? 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 Typical Snapping Turtles? 20-47 cm ### How much does Typical Snapping Turtles weigh? 4.5-16 kg ### How long does Typical Snapping Turtles live? 30-47 years ### How fast can Typical Snapping Turtles move? 10 km/h ### What does Typical Snapping Turtles eat? They eat almost anything they can catch or find, from fish and frogs to plants and dead animals. ### How fast can Typical Snapping Turtles swim? 3 km/h ### Where is Typical Snapping Turtles usually found? Wetlands ## 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: [Typical Snapping Turtles: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/typical-snapping-turtles)