Identification
Identifiable features of this aquatic turtle include a long tail which is saw-toothed
on the upper side, a small cross-shaped plastron, a large head, and a sharp
curved beak. Young turtles also possess vertebral and lateral keels on the carapace.
The upper surface of the carapace in adults is mostly smooth with deep seems,
but there may sometimes be traces of their former keels. The carapace is generally
dark in coloration and varies from brown, black or olive. The plastron may be
yellow, tan, or grey, and due to it’s small size leaves the legs and much
of the underside of the turtle exposed. There are often dark streaks marking
the jaws, and the chin features two barbels. The skin of the neck is bumpy and
often has tubercles. Around the small eyes of the turtle are two yellowish stripes
that slant back from the eye. Possessing webbed feet for swimming, the turtle
also has strong, stout legs. These turtles are the largest in the Great Lakes
region, and can their carapace length can grow to between 20.3 to 50.3 cm (8
to 19.8 in) in length, and around 10 kg (22 lbs), although records show some
larger.
Distribution and Status
Common Snapping Turtles are common in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains.
Populations extend from Nova Scotia westward through Southern Saskatchewan,
south through Texas and east to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Disjunct populations
can also be found in central New Mexico and Maine in the US, and in Quebec,
New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia in Canada. The turtles are common in their range,
except where populations have been over harvested for human consumption and
use. Found in all eight Midwestern states, the Common Snapping Turtle is a species
of Special Concern in Minnesota.(US
distribution map; Midwest
distribution map).
Ecology
Common Snapping Turtles inhabit a range of permanent water bodies, including
shallow weedy inlets, bays, mud-bottomed ponds, lakes and sloughs, and slow
streams with dense vegetation. Tolerant of pollution, the snappers will often
live in brackish water. The turtles spend most of their day in shallow water
buried in mud, weeds, logs or other such substrate. They do not appear to bask
as much as other turtles, but will sometimes float at the surface, climb onto
logs, or sit along a bank. These turtles tend to retain a home range for periods
of time, from 0.25 hectares (0.6 acres) to 9 hectares (22 acres) in size.
Threats and Management Issues
Collection for human consumption and use is the biggest threat to the Common
Snapping Turtle.
Resources
Ernst. C. H., J. E. Lovich and R. W. Barbour. 1994. Turtles of the
United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, USA.
General reference guides
and websites.
Bruce Kingsbury, Director
Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management
Science Building
Indiana-Purdue University
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499