Snapping Turtle

There are hundreds of different types of turtles in the world. Snapping turtles are known worldwide as the largest species of freshwater turtles found in North America. Its two main species are: the Alligator Snapping Turtle and the Common Snapping Turtle. While the former is the largest among these two species, the latter is more aggressive of the two. These turtles are named after their defensive technique of snapping and biting, on being threatened. The Alligator snapping turtles are now listed as an endangered species, due to their declining population as a result of human poaching. These group of turtles belong to the family chelydridae and are divided in 2 main groups.

Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macroclemys temminckii)

This is one of the largest species of freshwater turtles in the world. Males can grow up to 26 inches in shell length and weigh around 175 pounds, whereas the females weigh just around 50 pounds. The characteristic feature of this species of snapping turtles is their large, heavy head with eyes placed on the side of the head. Another feature is their spiked shell, beak like jaws and scaled tail, giving them a primitive look like a dinosaur. The three large ridges running down the shell resembles those on an alligator's back, thereby giving this turtle its name.

Habitat
They live mostly in rivers, lakes and canals, and are natives of the United States, mainly in the Florida and Mississippi region. Known to spend most of their time in water, females come to the land during their nesting period.

Lifespan
Though the lifespan of alligator snapping turtles in the wild are unknown, they live anywhere between 20 to 70 years in captivity. They have few predators, but are often killed by speeding vehicles on their journey to find a suitable nesting spot.

Breeding
Females usually lay eggs every alternate year and mate in late spring in Mississippi and in early spring in Florida. 8 to 50 eggs can be found in each nest, and incubation takes around 100 to 140 days. The eggs are spherical and 1.2-2 inches in diameter. Hatchlings usually emerge in the fall and their sex depends on the incubation temperature.

Behavior
Alligator snapping turtles have a very unique hunting technique of luring frogs and fish by displaying their bright red, worm shaped fleshy tongue. Not known for being a social creature, they like to be left alone and do not attack humans unless threatened. Care should be taken in their handling, as they can easily amputate a persons finger.

Food Habits
The diet of this species mainly consists of fish, frogs, snakes, carrion, ducks and other turtles in the wild. Considered omnivorous, they also feed on aquatic plants and green leafy vegetables in captivity.

Common Snapping Turtles (Cheydra serpentina)

There are 4 subspecies of common snapping turtles:

• Common Northern snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina)
• Florida snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina osceola)
• Mexican snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina rossignoni)
• Equadorian snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina acutirostris)

The common snapping turtle is the smaller of the two and grows up to17 inches in shell length. They weigh around 45 pounds, while some exceed 70 pounds in captivity. Their shell varies from dark brown to tan and even black in some cases, and they have a huge dark head. The unique feature of this species is their tubercles in the neck and legs, while their powerful jaws, sharp beak and long neck aids in catching prey.

Habitat
The habitat of this species is mainly slow rivers, streams, ponds, lakes,as well as marshes, and are widely found in North and Central America and also in some parts of South America. They are fairly pollution tolerant and prefer muddy areas with good vegetation for hiding.

Life Span
They live up to 30 years in the wild, but can live up to 45 years in captivity. Baby turtles are vulnerable to predators, but an adult member of this species has few predators.

Breeding
April to November is the ideal time for their mating, and once the eggs have developed, the female digs a nest on sandy soil and lays about 80 eggs. Their eggs are hard shelled, spherical and about 27-29 mm in diameter. Depending on the weather, incubation takes in about 80 to 90 days. Female turtles have an amazing ability to store sperms for several years, and interestingly, the sex of the hatchlings depends on the surrounding temperature.

Behavior
They have the reputation of being highly aggressive but attack only as a defense mechanism. Interestingly, they are very docile and seldom attack when confronted in water, but are ferocious when disturbed on land, and usually gapes their jaws and lunge. Another unique behavior is their ability to release a strong odor when disturbed.

Food Habits
They are omnivores and eat almost anything in the wild. They mainly feed on fish, birds, worms, leeches, frogs, small turtles and small mammals, and aquatic vegetation. In captivity, the regular diet of meat, fish, birds along with occasional spinach, cabbage and lettuce leaves should be supplemented with vitamins and mineral supplements.

Due to their exotic prehistoric look, people often keep snapping turtles as pets. But it is very important to get proper information on their care, including their diet, feeding, hygiene, health and their handling. These animals often suffer from vomiting, lethargy, abnormal feces, decreased appetite and cloudy eyes, and these signs are easily noticeable when they're kept as pets or in captivity. A veterinarian with experience in dealing with exotic animals should be consulted instead of a typical small animal veterinarian.