Snapping Turtle Facts

The common snapping turtle is known for its aggressive attitude and powerful jaws. There are many amazing things you’ll want to know about these large and ornery reptiles. So here are some of the top common snapping turtle facts.

They Aren’t Picky Eaters

The common snapping turtle will eat just about anything that it can catch and kill. This includes fish, other turtles, frogs, snakes, insects, aquatic mammals, and even sometimes waterfowl. They also feed on aquatic vegetation and the carcasses of any dead animals that they may find in the water as well.

Snapping Turtles Are Typically More Aggressive On Land

When encountered on land snapping turtles are often highly aggressive. They attack potential threats by raising their body and lunging at them. However one of the facts about snapping turtles that many people don’t know is that when they’re encountered in the water they prefer to flee instead. They often will and hide underwater and many times in the muddy bottom.   

Common Snapping Turtles Don’t Make Good Pets

Owning a pet snapping turtle may seem like an exotic option when compared to other turtle species. While they are hardy and long-lived in captivity keeping snapping turtles as pets is not recommended for most people.

While a baby common snapping turtle may be cute when it’s fully grown it will need a very large enclosure. A pond or lake would be ideal and of course most pet owners cannot provide such a space. They also have sharp claws and a bite which can cause serious damage.

They Have A Powerful Bite

One of the most well-known characteristics of snapping turtles is that when they are threatened they have the tendency to bite. Not only are snapping turtle jaws strong but instead of teeth they have a hooked beak that is also razor-sharp beak. It is designed to easily cut through the flesh and bones of its prey and it can bite through a human hand.

Snapping Turtles Can’t Actually Fit Inside Their Shell

When threatened most turtle species can pull their bodies inside of their shells for protection. The common snapping turtle cannot. Its shell is too small. Instead its head, legs, and tail always remain outside of the shell.

Its Main Predator Is Man

Snapping turtle eggs and young are eaten by herons, foxes, skunks, minks, snakes, large fish, and raccoons. However because an adult snapping turtle is large, aggressive, and dangerous it has very few natural predators. Its biggest threat is humans. That’s because common snapping turtles are hunted for sport and used to make turtle soup and stew.

They Have A Snake-Like Neck

The scientific name of the common snapping turtle is Cheldra serpentine. “Serpentine” means “snake-like,” and refers specifically to its long neck. Its neck is also highly-mobile allowing the turtle to reach and bite at angles other turtle species cannot. Because of this the snapping turtle cannot be picked up safely in the same way most other turtles are.

It’s An Incredibly Cold-Tolerant Species

Like other reptiles all snapping turtles are cold-blooded. In other words their body temperature depends on the temperature of the air and water around them. However one of the most interesting facts about snapping turtles is just how cold-tolerant they are. While some common snapping turtles do hibernate others actually remain active all winter long even under the ice.

Snapping Turtles Can Travel On Land

While they do spend most of their time in the water, common snapping turtles will leave the water and travel on land to find new habitat or to lay eggs. This is the reason that they are sometimes encountered crossing roads. This species sometimes travels over surprisingly long distances.

They Were Once Used To Find Dead Bodies

One of the lesser-known snapping turtle facts is that in the past this species was used to help locate dead bodies underwater. A rope was tied around a snapper’s shell and it was released into the lake where the body was believed to be. When the turtle stopped swimming it was believed to have found the location of the body and started to feed on it.

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