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| The Snapping Turtle is the largest turtle in the Algonquin Highlands and possible one of the most common. The Snapping Turtle’s shell can measure anywhere from 20-35 cm in length. Although many who tell stories of the massive turtles they have spotted, the record size for North America’s largest Snapper is 50 cm in length. For this reason Snappers can usually be identified by size alone. There are three rows of raised knobs on the turtle’s back shell as well as on its tail. The plastron (softer shell cover the turtle’s stomach), is very small in comparison to the shell and has a dark pattern on it. The shell is usually covered in algae to camouflage them while sitting on the bottom of ponds. The Snapping Turtle has webbed feet with extremely long claws. Its legs are covered in tough scales. Its head is quite large and there are two barbs found on its chin. The jaw of the Snapping Turtle is powerful and fast. Snapping Turtles prefer slow moving shallow water and are most active at night. Although they do frequent land, they are much better moves under water. To dispel any rumors of the Snapping Turtle being vicious and aggressive predator, it should be known that a Snapper would rather avoid danger. Underwater they almost never snap at annoyances but try to look away and disappear. On land however they will snap in self defense if they feel threatened. The diet of the Snapping Turtle is omnivorous but studies show it is more of a vegetarian. They will forage for seaweed and algae while they are young, but as they get older they prefer to sit and wait and ambush small invertebrates. Snappers have been known to find themselves larger fish and small ducks. Snapping Turtles are cold-blooded animals and are very often found soaking up the sun. This is because, by raising their body temperature, they are able to digest their food faster, allowing them to eat more. They have to store enough fat to last through the winter. Snapping Turtles hibernate (in this region) for the colder months by finding a nice bank to hide under. They absorb the little oxygen they need through their skin. Although they are usually quite still, they have been known to move around as well. Mating season takes place in early spring and eggs are laid on shore in June. A suitable nest is sand or gravel that is easy to dig in. The eggs are oval in shape and comparable to the size of ping pong balls. Although many eggs are laid, the chances of the babies living is very small. They usually fall prey to foxes and skunks who smell the turtles’ nests and dig them up. Age of Snapping Turtle vary dramatically but once a turtle has made to maturity the chances are good that they will live for a long time. The Snapping Turtle’s biggest predator is man. |
(Family Chelydridae)
Chelydra serpentina
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