The Common Snapping Turtle

Hello Friends.

It is that time again for a blog!

In this blog, we will learn about the Common Snapping Turtle! They are pretty neat animals, so let's get started...

Common Snapping Turtle. Photo by ME. 

The common snapping turtle is probably one of the more well recognized and known species of turtle other than, perhaps the box turtle and the red-eared slider. These turtles can be big and can have an attitude. According to Turtles of the Southeast, authors Kurt Buhlmann, Tracey Tuberville, and Whit Gibbons writes: "Snapping turtles have dark gray to black shells and appendages of the same monotone color...Their large head, strong jaws, sharp beak, and powerful claws give them a formidable appearance that is well deserved."

Snapping turtle skull. Photo by ME. 

As I said, these turtles can be big. In fact, the North Carolina state record for the biggest snapping turtle is one that weighed 61 pounds when it was captured!

These animals are mostly aquatic animals, but they do leave the water from time to time. According to Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia authors Jeffrey C. Beane, Alvin L. Braswell, Joseph C. Mitchell, William M. Palmer, and Julian R. Harrison III writes: "In early spring, adults frequently wander from one body of water to another. In late spring or early summer, females lay 10 to 83 ( usually about 25) eggs per clutch in a shallow nest, sometimes a considerable distance from water." So, if you ever wondered why you see snapping turtles crossing roads, or just walking about out of water, that is why.

Snapping turtles sort of bask in the sun, but not quite like how other aquatic turtles do. Snappers can sometimes be seen floating on some vegetation or just hanging out near the top of the lake or the like.

In regards to habitat, well, snapping turtles are found in any places with a suitable water source and plenty of food items. Ponds, lakes, swamps, Carolina bays, among others. They will enter brackish water too (Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia). I have seen one in brackish water, at the Bodie Island Lighthouse in the Outer Banks. It was pretty neat!

Common Snapping Turtle in brackish water on Bodie Island. Photo by ME. 

A good example of a freshwater habitat that Snapping Turtles can be found in. Photo by ME.

As far as food goes, snapping turtles will eat a lot of different things. Both animals and plants ( interestingly enough) which makes them omnivores. When I was younger I had thought them to be just carnivores, so it is interesting. They will eat both live and dead animals, so they do scavenge. They will actively search for food or sometimes they will sit and wait to ambush prey items (Turtles of the Southeast). So, they have various methods to get a hold of a variety of food items.

In regards to defense, as believe it or not, some animals will eat snapping turtles. Their nests and babies are more so vulnerable to predators. Various mammals will eat the eggs (some snakes will eat the eggs too!) and babies. Also, according to Turtles of the Southeast, "...even large snappers can become prey of the largest alligators and during winter dormancy, to river otters!" Pretty wild, huh?

So that being said, they do need to protect themselves, and hence the name, snapping turtle, these reptiles will snap. They are well know for that. They have long necks and can reach around to some extent. They have powerful, strong jaws and they can and will deliver a nasty bite. Another interesting thing to know about these turtles, is unlike a lot of other turtles, snapping turtles cannot go inside their shell, so they need some way to defend themselves, so they will bite. Therefore, Do not handle a snapping turtle unless you have been trained and you are comfortable with it and are aware of the risks of doing so. From time to time, I have helped co-workers with snapping turtle rescues. I have some experience in working with snappers on my own. However, my co-workers and myself usually work as a team and have managed to help the turtles without the animals or us being injured.

A snapping turtle that we rescued at my work. Photo by ME.

North Carolina only has one species of snapping turtle and that is the Common Snapper, which he have been reading about. Alligator Snapping Turtles do not occur in NC.


I hope you have learned something. Snapping turtles are pretty neat animals that play an important role as scavengers and eating other critters to help keep the populations down as well as they are food items to other animals. They are neat to look at and see too.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have!