Common Snapping Turtle

This Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) lives in a retention pond between our east and staff parking lots. Every so often we get to see her for a few moments, but last week we were able to get close enough to take photos of her lazily basking at the edge of the pond. This isn't a common behavior for Snapping Turtles and the species is better known for staying in water and only basking occasionally.

Snapping Turtles have a surprisingly long neck and are known for having an aggressive temperament. If you see a snapping turtle in the wild give it a bit of distance, because like most of nature they aren't interested in contact with people. If attempting to help a snapping turtle that is crossing a road and in danger, remember that their neck is much longer than you want it to be and they are more aggressive and less thankful for your assistance than you will hope. In the name of saving both nature and your fingers, picking up a Snapping Turtle is ill advised. You can learn a bit more about moving turtles off roads at this page.

This species of turtle is thought to live more than 100 years. They are omnivorous and will feed on most anything that does not get away fast enough, including other turtles. As babies, these turtles are in danger of predation from birds and lots of other hungry creatures. As adults, Snapping Turtles have few predators  and are mostly in danger from humans rather than animals. 

Once considered a subspecies the "Florida Snapping Turtle" (Chelydra serpentina osceola) is now just recognized as a regional variant with lighter coloration and longer pointy tubercles (fleshy projections) that can be seen on the neck.