GENERAL INFORMATION

The Common Snapping Turtle is one of six species of turtles native to western North Carolina and one of the most common. Due to its large size, it is often confused with the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macroclemys temminckil), a species found primarily in the Mississippi River drainage system and not in our mountain region.

DESCRIPTION

The Common Snapping Turtle has a brownish or blackish upper shell (carapace) and a much smaller and lighter in color lower shell (plastron). The head is quite large and the neck, when extended, is very long. The tail of the Snapping Turtle is also quite long, especially in young individuals and may exceed the length of the turtle's upper shell. There is a row of bony protruding plates along the upper edge of the snapper's tail and a series of sawtooth-like projections along the rear margin of the upper shell. The feet are webbed. Common Snapping Turtles can grow to immense proportions as adults, with some individuals having upper shell lengths of as much as 17 to 18 inches, although most adult specimens encountered will average a shell length of around 10 to 12 inches. Wild adults usually weigh from 10 to 35 pounds but fattened captive individuals can weigh as much as 80 pounds or more.

HABITS AND HABITATS

The Snapping Turtle has a reputation for being aggressive and is named for its habit of snapping at an enemy. Most people are unaware however that when a snapping turtle is at home in the water, it is quite shy and rarely bites if disturbed, preferring instead to swim away from an intruder. It is when the Snapper is encountered on land that it repeatedly snaps in self-defense, often raising its body as high off the ground as its legs will allow and snapping with such force that its body lunges forward. The Snapping Turtle is found in all kinds of aquatic habitats from rivers and streams to ponds and large lakes. They are primarily bottom dwellers but may occasionally be seen basking on logs and snags protruding from the water. Snapping Turtles are often encountered on land, primarily in late spring and early summer when the females leave the water to lay their eggs. They are often seen crossing roads as they seek out suitable nesting sites which can be a considerable distance from water. At this time Snapping Turtles may turn up in odd places such as yards, gardens, and driveways. The female seeks out a sunny spot with little or no vegetation in which to lay her eggs. If the soil is too hard or rocky, she may try digging in several locations until the right conditions are found. A hole several inches deep is dug with the hind legs and about 20 to 40 round eggs resembling ping pong balls are laid and then covered with dirt. The eggs are left to hatch on their own which takes from 2 to 3 months.   

HISTORY

The Snapping Turtle has a bad reputation with the public due to its supposedly aggressive nature and because it is believed by many to heavily prey on game fishes and young ducks. In reality, the snapping turtle is largely a scavenger, prowling the pond and river bottom searching for diseased or dying fish and other small animals. Snappers also consume quite a bit of plant material in their diet. An occasional baby duck or other waterfowl may be eaten but many more are probably eaten by feral dogs, cats, and other wild animals during the night with the Snapper then being unjustly accused. The snapping turtle itself has long been eaten and relished by man and is used primarily in soups and stews. Young Snapping Turtles and snapper eggs are preyed upon by raccoons and many other animals. Snapping turtles are important components of our aquatic ecosystems.


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©2002 WNC Nature Center