Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The common snapping turtle is a large freshwater turtle with a powerful jaw and long tail. It spends much of its life concealed in quiet water rather than basking openly.

Chelydra serpentina (snapping turtle)

Chuck Homler, Focus On Wildlife · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Habitat
Rivers and lakes, Wetlands
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Aquatic vegetation and varied animal foods.

Classification

Common name
Snapping Turtle
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Chelydra serpentina
Taxon rank
species
Family
Chelydridae
Genus
Chelydra
Source classification
Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its tail can approach the shell in length.
  • The lower shell is relatively small.
  • It eats plants as well as animals.

Habitat and range

Common snapping turtles occur across much of southern Canada and the eastern and central United States. Fresh or slightly brackish waters with soft bottoms and vegetation offer concealment.

Appearance and adaptations

A rough shell, large head and long saw-edged tail create a distinctive outline. The small lower shell leaves much of the body exposed compared with many other turtles.

Diet and behaviour

Aquatic plants, invertebrates, fish, carrion and other animals enter the diet. Turtles often remain partly buried with only the head exposed. Although strongly defensive when removed from water, they usually seek aquatic cover when left undisturbed.

Sources

Explore reptiles

Browse all reptiles