Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae) of the United States

Snapping Turtles are among the largest of living freshwater species. They are characterized by massive heads with powerful hooked jaws, long tails, relatively small cross shaped plastrons, and carapaces with 12 marginal scutes on each side.

These primitive looking turtles occupy aquatic habitats of many descriptions, are opportunistic feeders, and lay large numbers of flexible shelled, spherical shaped eggs, Males grow larger then females.

 

There are only 3 species of Snapping Turtles in the United States, all of which are native species.

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

(V) Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis)

(V) Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temmincki)