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Common snapping turtle

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle species endemic to North America, distinguished by its robust carapace measuring 203–494 mm in length, powerful hooked jaws adapted for forceful biting, and a defensive posture involving rapid neck extension to snap at perceived threats.^[1] Native to aquatic habitats east of the Rocky Mountains from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast, it prefers slow-moving waters with soft mud substrates, abundant vegetation, and submerged debris for ambush foraging and cover.^[2]^[3] As opportunistic omnivores, common snapping turtles consume carrion, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals, and aquatic vegetation, often scavenging dead matter to recycle nutrients in wetland ecosystems.^[4]^[5] Their aggressive snapping behavior, while effective against predators, is primarily defensive and triggered by handling or disturbance rather than unprovoked attack, with adults rarely initiating conflict due to their armored shell and size.^[6] Lifespans extend to approximately 30 years in the wild and up to 47 years in captivity, reflecting a life-history strategy of delayed sexual maturity—typically 10–20 years depending on latitude—and large clutches of 20–60 eggs buried in terrestrial nests, offset by high embryonic and hatchling mortality from predation and environmental factors.^[4]^[7]^[8] Populations remain widespread and stable across their range, classified as of least concern globally, though localized declines occur from roadkill, habitat fragmentation, and illegal harvesting for meat or pets; their ecological role as predators and scavengers underscores resilience in diverse freshwater systems.^[9]^[10]

Taxonomy and Phylogeny

Classification and Evolutionary History

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is classified in the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Reptilia, order Testudines (suborder Cryptodira), family Chelydridae, genus Chelydra, with the species first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.^[11]^[12] The family Chelydridae comprises two extant genera: Chelydra, which includes the common snapping turtle and its close relatives, and Macrochelys, represented by the alligator snapping turtle (M. temminckii).^[13] This classification reflects the turtle's placement among freshwater chelydrids, distinguished by traits such as a rigid carapace, powerful jaws, and lack of epidermal scutes on the plastron in adults.^[14] The evolutionary history of C. serpentina traces to the ancient origins of the Chelydridae family, which emerged during the Paleogene period following the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, with a fossil record extending into the Eocene and Miocene epochs in North America.^[15] Extinct chelydrid species and close relatives are documented across Eurasia and Europe, indicating a broader historical distribution beyond the current North American range, though Chelydra itself is the sole surviving genus from a once-diverse Tertiary lineage.^[16] Phylogenetic analyses based on nucleotide sequences position Chelydridae as a basal clade within Cryptodira, often as sister group to Kinosternoidea (mud and musk turtles) or Chelonioidea (sea turtles), supporting an early divergence among testudine lineages around 90 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous.^[17] This placement underscores the snapping turtle's retention of primitive traits, such as temperature-dependent sex determination, which genomic studies identify as ancestral to many turtle species.^[18]

Etymology and Nomenclature

The scientific name of the common snapping turtle is Chelydra serpentina, established by Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of Systema Naturae published on October 1, 1758, under the Linnaean system of binomial nomenclature.^[19] The genus Chelydra originates from the ancient Greek term chelys (χέλυς), denoting a tortoise or turtle shell, often extended in classical texts to describe water-dwelling chelonians; some etymological accounts further associate it with chelydros, implying a serpentine or aquatic tortoise form.^[20]^[2] The specific epithet serpentina derives from the Latin serpentīnus, meaning snake-like or pertaining to a serpent (serpens), a reference to the turtle's elongated, flexible neck, undulating locomotion in water, and aggressive defensive posture involving rapid jaw snaps reminiscent of a striking snake.^[19]^[21]^[22] In vernacular nomenclature, "common snapping turtle" reflects its widespread North American distribution and characteristic behavior of lunging to bite with powerful jaws when handled or threatened on land, distinguishing it from less aggressive turtles; alternative common names include "snapper" and, in Spanish-speaking regions, "tortuga lagarto" (lizard turtle).^[1]^[23] Taxonomically, C. serpentina serves as the type species of the genus Chelydra within the family Chelydridae; historical subspecific divisions, such as C. s. serpentina (northern populations) and C. s. osceola (southeastern U.S. variants), were proposed based on morphological differences like carapace ridging but have been questioned by genetic analyses indicating clinal variation rather than discrete taxa, with current classifications often treating the species as monotypic pending further phylogenetic resolution.^[20]^[19]

Physical Characteristics

Morphology and Anatomy

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) exhibits a robust morphology adapted for aquatic life, characterized by a heavy, tank-like body with a large head, long neck, powerful limbs, and an elongated tail.^[24] The carapace, or upper shell, measures 20-35 cm (8-14 inches) in adults, featuring a rough, dark brown to black surface often encrusted with algae; it includes three low keels in juveniles that become less pronounced with age, along with a deeply serrated posterior margin.^[8] ^[25] The plastron, or lower shell, is reduced and cross- or T-shaped, covering less than 50% of the ventral surface, typically cream-yellow or brown with three keels more evident in younger individuals.^[8] ^[26] The head is notably large and dark-colored, equipped with a hooked upper jaw forming a sharp, rough-edged beak suited for tearing prey.^[25] ^[24] The neck is elongated and highly mobile, yellowish with dorsal tubercles, enabling rapid extension for ambushing.^[8] ^[24] Limbs are sturdy and webbed for swimming, bearing powerful claws for digging and grasping; the skin on limbs is yellowish and tuberculate.^[8] ^[24] The tail approximates the carapace length, featuring saw-toothed keels and bony plates along its upper surface.^[8] ^[26] ^[25] Overall skin is thick, with dark tones on the head transitioning to yellowish on the neck, limbs, and tail, often bearing tubercles.^[24] The shell comprises fused bony plates overlaid with keratinous scutes, providing rigid protection while exposing much of the body due to the minimal plastron.^[8]

Size, Variation, and Sexual Dimorphism

Adult Chelydra serpentina typically reach a carapace length of 203–494 mm (8.0–19.4 in), with weights varying accordingly based on age, nutrition, and location.^[27] Exceptional individuals from southern populations may exceed 500 mm in carapace length, reflecting regional growth advantages possibly linked to longer activity seasons and resource availability.^[8] Sexual dimorphism is pronounced, with males attaining larger overall body sizes than females, including greater carapace lengths and masses upon maturity.^[28] ^[21] Males also exhibit longer, thicker tails, with the cloaca positioned farther from the carapace margin compared to females, facilitating sex identification in adults.^[21] This size disparity arises partly from sex-specific growth plasticity, where males respond more robustly to environmental cues favoring accelerated somatic expansion.^[29] Geographic variation contributes to size heterogeneity, with mean female body size correlating positively with latitude and longitude in temperate zones, suggesting clinal adaptations to climatic gradients.^[30] Southern populations often yield the largest specimens, potentially due to extended foraging periods and higher prey biomass, while northern cohorts may prioritize faster early growth over maximal adult size.^[8] ^[31] No discrete subspecies exist, but this continuous variation underscores the species' plasticity across its expansive range.^[30]

Habitat and Distribution

Native Geographic Range

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is native to a broad expanse of North America, primarily east of the Rocky Mountains. Its range spans from southeastern Canada, including provinces such as Nova Scotia, southern Ontario, Quebec, and extending westward to southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, southward through the eastern and central United States to the Gulf of Mexico coastal states like Florida, Texas, and Louisiana.^[1]^[24] This distribution covers diverse aquatic environments but is limited by the arid Great Plains to the west and oceanic barriers to the east along the Atlantic coast.^[11] Within this range, the species exhibits continuous occupancy in suitable freshwater systems, with density variations influenced by habitat availability and historical glaciation patterns that reshaped post-Pleistocene distributions. Subspecies delineations, such as C. s. serpentina in the northern and central portions and C. s. acutirostris in the southeastern U.S., reflect minor morphological adaptations but do not alter the overall continental native footprint.^[1] The northern extent aligns with the southern limits of Pleistocene ice sheets, while southern populations benefit from warmer climates supporting year-round activity.^[24] No native populations occur west of the Rockies or in the southwestern deserts due to unsuitable arid conditions and historical biogeographic barriers.^[11]

Introduced Populations and Invasiveness

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) has established non-native populations primarily through releases from the pet trade, where discarded or escaped individuals survive and reproduce outside their indigenous range spanning eastern and central North America.^[32] In western North America, including California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, populations are considered invasive, with scattered records dating back to at least the mid-20th century in some areas.^[1] For instance, in Oregon, the species occupies ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers with muddy bottoms, where it has been documented since the 1990s, posing risks through predation on native western pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata) and competition for resources.^[23] These introduced turtles exhibit high invasiveness due to their opportunistic predation, consuming native amphibians, reptiles, fish, and waterfowl nestlings, which disrupts local food webs and reduces populations of endemic species lacking evolved defenses against such generalist carnivores.^[23] In the Pacific Northwest, snapping turtles transmit parasites and pathogens to native wildlife, exacerbating declines in vulnerable taxa, while their aggressive defensive bites endanger humans, pets, and anglers near water bodies.^[33] Their long lifespan—often exceeding 30 years—and high fecundity enable rapid population growth in suitable habitats, with adults reaching carapace lengths up to 45 cm and exerting strong predatory pressure.^[1] Beyond North America, established or emerging populations occur in Europe (e.g., Italy and Belgium, with removals of mature adults reported since the 2010s) and Asia (e.g., Japan since the 1960s and recent detections in South Korea), where similar ecological disruptions are anticipated based on modeled distributions favoring temperate wetlands.^[34] Management efforts include targeted trapping and euthanasia programs, such as those in Oregon's Tualatin River watershed and Montana's Flathead Valley since 2022, prioritizing early detection to prevent breeding colonies.^[35] In British Columbia, sightings on Vancouver Island since 2012 have prompted public reporting protocols to contain spread.^[36] These interventions underscore the species' potential for high invasion risk in non-native regions with comparable aquatic environments, driven by human-mediated dispersal rather than natural expansion.^[37]

Life History

Reproduction and Mating

Mating in the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) occurs primarily in aquatic habitats from spring through fall, with observations of courtship behaviors across these seasons correlating with elevated gonadal hormones such as testosterone in males and estradiol in females from mid-May to early September.^[38] Males pursue and mount receptive females from behind, grasping the carapace with their fore and hind claws while occasionally biting the neck or head to position for copulation, resulting in vigorous interactions involving hissing, snapping, and splashing.^[39] Females can store viable sperm for multiple breeding seasons, enabling fertilization without immediate remating.^[40] Gravid females migrate onto land in late spring or early summer, often traveling distances up to 1 mile (1.6 km) to locate suitable nesting sites in loose, sandy, or gravelly soil near water. Nest construction involves excavating a flask-shaped cavity approximately 10-18 cm deep using the hind limbs and tail, into which 25-45 elliptical, leathery-shelled eggs (range 4-100), each about 3 cm long and cream-colored, are deposited during May to June in northern populations.^[41]^[21] As a monoclutch species, females typically produce only one clutch annually before covering the nest with soil and returning to water, providing no further parental care.^[42] Egg incubation lasts 75-95 days and is temperature-dependent, with sex determination exhibiting temperature-dependent patterns where lower temperatures (around 25°C) favor female offspring and higher temperatures (around 30°C) produce males.^[43]^[25] Hatchlings, measuring 2.5-3 cm in carapace length, emerge synchronously in late summer or fall (August-October), using an egg tooth to break free and collectively excavating to the surface before dispersing to nearby water independently.^[44]

Growth, Development, and Lifespan

Newly hatched common snapping turtles measure approximately 29–32 mm in straight carapace length, with high post-hatching mortality due to predation and environmental factors.^[45] Incubation temperature determines sex, with females developing at higher temperatures (around 28–30°C) and males at lower ones (22–26°C), influencing early development and subsequent growth trajectories.^[47] Juvenile growth is rapid initially but slows with age and size, following patterns described by the von Bertalanffy growth model; in southern populations like Texas, females exhibit faster growth (k=0.40) reaching asymptotic straight carapace lengths of about 279 mm, while males grow slower (k=0.22) to 315 mm.^[48] Annual growth increments decline from over 2 cm per year in smaller juveniles to under 0.5 cm in adults larger than 33 cm curved carapace length.^[49] Growth rates vary latitudinally, with slower development in northern regions due to shorter active seasons and lower temperatures, extending the time to reach comparable sizes.^[49]^[50] Sexual maturity occurs at sizes around 20–27 cm carapace length, with age at maturity ranging from 4–8 years in southern latitudes (e.g., Florida, Iowa) to 15–20 years in northern areas like Ontario, reflecting adaptations to local resource availability and climate.^[49]^[50] Growth continues indeterminately post-maturity at reduced rates, supporting iteroparity over extended reproductive periods.^[48] Lifespan in the wild exceeds 40–50 years, with maximum recorded ages over 50 years based on mark-recapture studies; in captivity, individuals have survived up to 47 years under controlled conditions.^[49]^[50]^[4] Longevity contributes to population stability despite high juvenile mortality, as adults experience low natural mortality rates.^[49]

Behavior

Foraging Strategies and Diet

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is an opportunistic omnivore that employs primarily ambush tactics during foraging, lying motionless on aquatic substrates with only its eyes and nostrils exposed above the sediment or vegetation for camouflage.^[24]^[25] This sedentary strategy relies on heightened sensory detection of prey via smell, vision, tactile cues, and vibrations in water, followed by a swift lunge using neck extension and crushing jaws capable of exerting substantial bite force.^[24] Juveniles exhibit more active pursuit foraging, particularly in shallow or ephemeral waters, targeting mobile invertebrate prey, while adults often scavenge carrion opportunistically, enhancing their ecological role as decomposers.^[25]^[51] Diet composition varies by habitat, age, and prey availability but centers on animal matter, including invertebrates (insects, crayfish, mollusks, worms, spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles (including smaller turtles via decapitation), birds, bird eggs, and small mammals, supplemented by carrion.^[24]^[25] Plant material, such as aquatic vegetation, leaves, fruits, and algae, comprises approximately one-third of the diet in some analyzed populations, reflecting incidental ingestion or deliberate consumption during low animal prey periods.^[25]^[52] Young turtles preferentially consume soft-bodied invertebrates like insect and amphibian larvae in ponds, transitioning to harder prey and scavenging as they mature.^[51] Foraging activity peaks nocturnally or crepuscularly, minimizing energy expenditure and predation risk, with turtles capable of prolonged fasting between meals due to their low metabolic demands.^[25] Despite occasional predation on game fish or waterfowl young, their overall impact on such populations remains negligible given their opportunistic rather than specialized feeding.^[24]

Activity Patterns and Locomotion

Common snapping turtles exhibit cathemeral activity patterns, with movements recorded both diurnally and nocturnally across seasons, interspersed with periods of inactivity.^[53] In northern latitudes, such as Maine, their active period spans approximately 5.5 months from mid-May to mid-October, coinciding with water temperatures suitable for foraging above 16°C.^[54] They typically remain sedentary within established home ranges, burying in mud or substrate during inactive phases to ambush prey or conserve energy.^[54] In colder regions, adults enter brumation during winter, burying in shallow, non-freezing mud of streams, ponds, or marshes, either singly or in groups, with body temperatures declining to around 1°C from mid-October to early May.^[54] Emergence occurs as water temperatures rise to approximately 7.5°C, enabling renewed foraging and mating activities.^[8] Brumation sites may include anoxic sediments, though survival improves in oxygenated conditions.^[8] Aquatically, locomotion involves bottom-walking or a "bouncing" gait using powerful limbs with webbed feet, primarily in shallow depths up to 1 meter; they float only when lungs retain air, as they lack adaptations for sustained surface swimming.^[54] On land, they proceed deliberately by elevating the body above the substrate, dragging the tail for balance, which compensates for the reduced plastron and enables overland travel despite low mobility.^[54] Juveniles additionally employ the tail to enhance terrestrial performance, such as in acceleration or stability.^[55] Terrestrial movements peak during nesting season, with females undertaking migrations of 4–14 km to suitable sites, covering up to 1.7 km per day along fixed routes and using solar orientation for navigation; recorded distances range from 370–2,020 m (mean 1,053 m) in Ontario studies.^[54]^[8] Males exhibit shorter migrations, up to 4.2 km, primarily within aquatic boundaries to locate mates.^[54]

Defensive Mechanisms and Aggression

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) employs aggressive defensive behaviors primarily due to its inability to fully retract its head and limbs into its shell, unlike many other turtle species, necessitating active retaliation against threats. When threatened, particularly on land where mobility is limited, individuals rapidly extend their muscular neck and snap their jaws with considerable force, aiming to deter predators or handlers. This snapping action involves a quick lunge, often accompanied by hissing, and can inflict severe wounds, as the turtle's beak-like mouth is adapted for crushing.^[24]^[56]^[57] Such aggression is context-dependent and typically reactive rather than proactive; in aquatic environments, snapping turtles are generally docile and avoid confrontation unless cornered or provoked, such as by direct handling or intrusion into their space. On land, vulnerability to desiccation and predation heightens responsiveness, leading to defensive posturing like spinning to face the threat and repeated snapping attempts. Empirical observations indicate that even submerged turtles may exhibit partial defensive withdrawal or muffled snaps, but full aggression escalates with handling, where restraint behind the head is advised to prevent bites. This behavior aligns with causal pressures from their ecology: limited hiding options favor potent counterattacks over evasion.^[5]^[58]^[59] Bite performance varies with factors like body size and temperature; larger adults generate higher forces, with studies measuring peak snapping velocity and jaw closure influenced by thermal conditions, peaking around 25–30°C. While often portrayed as inherently ferocious, this reputation stems from defensive encounters rather than unprovoked attacks, as snapping turtles rarely initiate aggression toward humans or larger animals unless directly threatened. Handling protocols emphasize caution, including tools like muzzles for rambunctious individuals, underscoring the adaptive efficacy of their mechanism despite its risks to interveners.^[60]^[50]^[61]

Ecological Role

Interactions with Predators and Prey

The eggs and juveniles of the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) face high predation pressure, with up to 90% of nests destroyed annually by mammalian and avian predators such as raccoons (Procyon lotor), skunks (Mephitis mephitis), foxes, opossums (Didelphis virginiana), mink (Neovison vison), crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), and great blue herons (Ardea herodias).^[25]^[41] Additional predators of hatchlings include hawks, water snakes, and bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), contributing to mortality rates exceeding 80% in some populations before reaching adulthood.^[62]^[4] Adult common snapping turtles have few natural predators due to their large size (up to 18 kg), robust shell, and aggressive defensive behavior, though opportunistic predation by American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) occurs in overlapping southern ranges.^[63] As opportunistic ambush predators, common snapping turtles primarily consume aquatic and semi-aquatic prey including fish (e.g., river herring Alosa spp.), amphibians, crayfish, insects, and carrion, supplemented by occasional terrestrial items like small mammals, birds, and vegetation.^[64]^[65] They employ a "wait-and-snap" strategy, positioning near structures like culverts to intercept migratory fish, with stable isotope analyses confirming dietary shifts toward such prey in high-traffic migration routes.^[66] Documented predation includes adult turtles consuming waterfowl, western grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis), and juvenile fish, exerting localized top-down control on prey populations in wetlands and rivers.^[67]^[68] Juveniles forage on smaller invertebrates and larvae in ephemeral ponds, modulating strike kinematics based on prey type and distance.^[69]

Role in Ecosystems and Bioindication

Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) function as opportunistic omnivores in freshwater ecosystems, consuming carrion, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and aquatic vegetation, which positions them as key scavengers that recycle nutrients and reduce organic waste accumulation.^[70] Their predatory behavior, particularly among larger individuals, exerts top-down control on prey populations such as tadpoles and small fish, potentially triggering trophic cascades including phytoplankton blooms following prey reductions.^[70] This size-dependent influence helps maintain balance in lentic and lotic habitats, where they inhabit diverse wetlands, ponds, and slow-moving rivers across eastern North America.^[52] By preying on overabundant species and scavenging deceased organisms, they contribute to ecosystem stability, though their low metabolic rates and ambush foraging limit broad-scale impacts compared to more mobile predators.^[5] As long-lived, site-fidelitous species with broad diets, common snapping turtles serve as effective bioindicators for environmental contaminants in aquatic systems, bioaccumulating persistent pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, dioxins, and heavy metals due to their position in the food web and extended residency in localized habitats.^[71] In the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin, snapping turtle eggs and tissues have been monitored since the 1980s to track PCB levels, revealing hotspots of contamination from industrial discharges and correlating elevated concentrations with developmental abnormalities in embryos.^[72]^[73] Studies in regions like the Hudson River and Lake Michigan demonstrate their utility as sentinels for pesticides such as atrazine and glyphosate, with tissue residues reflecting watershed runoff and dam reservoir accumulation patterns.^[74]^[75] Their physiological responses, including reduced lipid content and growth inhibition in contaminated brackish waters, provide causal evidence linking pollutant exposure to fitness declines, underscoring their value in assessing remediation efficacy over decades.^[76]^[77]

Human Interactions

Culinary Uses and Harvesting

The meat of the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) has been consumed in North America since colonial times, with historical records indicating its use in turtle soup as early as the 18th century, potentially featured at the first Thanksgiving feast.^[78] ^[79] This dish gained prominence in high-society menus and regional cuisines, particularly in Philadelphia where "snapper soup" remains a tradition simmered in tomato broth with turtle meat, and in Southern states like Louisiana for Creole and Cajun preparations such as turtle sauce piquante or gumbo.^[80] ^[81] Preparation typically involves parboiling the meat to tenderize it and remove any off-flavors, yielding a texture likened to chicken, veal, or dark poultry, which can then be cubed for stews, chowders, frying as nuggets, or incorporation into gravies.^[82] ^[83] Yield from a live turtle averages about 50% meat by weight, primarily from legs, neck, and body after deboning, though the process requires care due to the turtle's aggressive nature and potential for bioaccumulation of toxins like heavy metals from polluted waters.^[84] ^[85] Harvesting occurs primarily through recreational or commercial means in permitted U.S. states, using methods such as hand capture, dip nets, traps, or hook and line, often during warmer months when turtles are active.^[82] ^[86] Regulations vary: for instance, Virginia prohibits taking turtles under 13 inches curved carapace length, Connecticut enforces a similar 13-inch minimum with specific legal gear, and Maryland sets an 11-inch limit for commercial harvest, while daily and annual quotas apply in states like North Carolina (up to 10 per day, 100 per year with a license).^[87] ^[86] ^[88] Overharvesting contributed to declining popularity in the 20th century, prompting size and method restrictions to sustain populations, though the species remains abundant enough for legal take in most eastern and midwestern states absent endangered listings.^[89] ^[5]

Captivity, Pet Trade, and Aquaculture

Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) are infrequently maintained in captivity as pets due to their rapid growth to large sizes, with adults reaching carapace lengths of 12–18 inches (30–46 cm) and weights exceeding 35 pounds (16 kg), necessitating expansive enclosures such as outdoor ponds or indoor tanks of at least 300 gallons (1,135 liters) for mature individuals to accommodate their aquatic lifestyle and prevent stress-induced health issues.^[90]^[91] Inadequate housing often leads to obesity from overfeeding commercial pellets or prey, impairing kidney and liver function and shortening lifespan, which can exceed 30 years in optimal conditions but is reduced in substandard setups.^[90] Their defensive aggression, characterized by rapid neck extension and powerful bites capable of inflicting serious injury, renders handling risky and limits suitability for households with children or other animals, with experts advising against routine interaction.^[92] Filtration systems are essential to manage water quality amid their high bioload from scavenging habits, but maintenance demands substantial resources, contributing to high abandonment rates among novice keepers.^[93] The pet trade in common snapping turtles remains minor relative to commercial food markets, with U.S. federal regulations prohibiting the sale of turtles under 4 inches (10 cm) in carapace length for pet purposes since 1975 to mitigate Salmonella risks, though possession of larger specimens is generally permitted absent state restrictions.^[94] Interstate and international trade is governed by CITES Appendix II listing implemented in 2017, requiring export permits to ensure sustainability, as high-volume wild harvests—primarily for meat—could indirectly affect pet availability.^[95] State laws vary; for instance, Pennsylvania mandates commercial permits for sales and prohibits wild take for trade without authorization, reflecting concerns over localized population pressures despite the species' overall least concern status.^[96]^[97] Aquaculture of common snapping turtles is underdeveloped in the United States, with wild commercial harvesting dominating supply for export markets; over 200,000 individuals were harvested across states in 2012 and 2014, mainly males processed for meat and gravid females shipped live to Asian operations for breeding stock.^[98]^[99] The USDA's 2023 Census of Aquaculture documented 49 turtle farms generating $5.34 million in sales, but these predominantly involve softshell species rather than common snappers, which lack established domestic farming protocols due to challenges in captive reproduction and growth rates.^[100] Exports target East Asian demand for turtle meat and traditional medicine, with U.S. harvests processed domestically or abroad, though CITES oversight has curbed unsustainable practices by mandating non-detriment findings.^[101] Local declines have been observed in heavily harvested areas, prompting calls for quotas, but broad population resilience from high fecundity—females laying 20–50 eggs per clutch—sustains the trade without evident national collapse.^[102]^[103]

Conflicts, Reputation, and Management Practices

Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) possess a reputation for aggression primarily due to their defensive response of snapping at perceived threats, particularly when encountered on land where rapid escape is limited.^[25] This behavior, combined with a bite force estimated at up to 209 Newtons in adults, enables them to inflict deep lacerations or crush small bones if grabbed or provoked, contributing to perceptions of danger among the public.^[104] However, empirical observations indicate they remain docile in aquatic environments and rarely initiate unprovoked attacks on humans, with aggression typically manifesting only during handling or territorial defense on land.^[59] Human-turtle conflicts are infrequent but notable in specific contexts, such as bites during manual capture or relocation, which have resulted in documented injuries including finger amputations or severe wounds requiring medical attention.^[104] In recreational and commercial fisheries, snapping turtles are viewed as nuisances for depredating stocked fish, ducklings, and other aquatic resources, leading to targeted removals from ponds and reservoirs.^[105] Where introduced outside their native eastern North American range—such as in California and Oregon—they exacerbate conflicts by preying on native amphibians, fish, and turtles, prompting classifications as invasive species with potential ecosystem disruptions.^[1] ^[106] Management practices emphasize regulated harvest and control measures to balance utilization with population sustainability. In native-range states like Tennessee, legal take via sport fishing methods (excluding archery or spears) is permitted year-round, with daily limits to prevent overexploitation.^[89] Connecticut's regulations, updated in 2016, allow harvest while prohibiting certain destructive methods and requiring reporting to monitor impacts.^[25] For nuisance abatement, hoop-net traps—typically 4-6 feet long with multiple funnels—are deployed in affected waters, capturing turtles for relocation or harvest without broad environmental harm.^[105] In introduced areas, prohibitions on import, transport, and possession, as enforced in California since at least 2010, aim to eradicate feral populations and curb further spread.^[107]

Conservation Status

Population Trends and Status Assessments

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it does not qualify for a more threatened category despite a noted decreasing population trend, owing to its broad distribution across eastern North America, from southern Canada to Central America, and presumed large overall numbers.^[11] Globally, the species holds a NatureServe rank of G5 (secure), reflecting abundance in most of its range, though local vulnerabilities exist in fragmented habitats.^[11] Population densities vary widely by habitat quality and location, typically ranging from 1 individual per 0.8 hectares in prairie marshes to over 7 individuals per hectare in nutrient-rich coastal plain wetlands, with higher biomass in areas supporting dense aquatic vegetation and prey availability.^[8]^[49] Long-term monitoring in stable habitats shows no consistent range-wide decline, but adult survivorship—key to population stability given delayed maturity (15–20 years) and low nest success (often <20% hatchlings surviving to adulthood)—is pressured by anthropogenic factors.^[7] Commercial harvesting poses a primary risk to localized populations, with U.S. exports surging to over 200,000 wild-caught individuals in 2012 and 2014 from under 50,000 annually in prior years, predominantly targeting large adults from southern states for food markets in Asia.^[102] Population models demonstrate that such size-selective harvest can diminish growth rates by 10–30% depending on intensity, potentially leading to stagnation or decline in exploited wetlands where recruitment fails to offset losses.^[108] Roadkill, estimated to remove thousands annually in high-traffic areas, and wetland loss (up to 50% in some regions) exacerbate these effects, though no federal protections exist in the U.S., with management deferred to states.^[11] In Canada, national ranks remain secure (N5), but the Great Lakes–Upper St. Lawrence population is assessed as Special Concern by COSEWIC since 2008 due to cumulative habitat fragmentation and bycatch mortality, with a 2025 reassessment pending additional data.^[7] These assessments underscore the need for harvest quotas and habitat connectivity to sustain demographic viability amid ongoing pressures.^[109]

Identified Threats and Evidence-Based Mitigation

The primary threats to Chelydra serpentina populations include road mortality, habitat alteration, and commercial harvesting. Road kills are particularly acute during the nesting season (typically May to June), when females migrate overland to suitable sites, leading to chronic adult mortality that can drive local declines; a long-term study in Ontario documented severe population reductions attributable to decades of highway impacts, with modeled extinction risks escalating without intervention. Habitat loss from agricultural conversion and urbanization fragments wetlands and riparian zones essential for foraging and hibernation, exacerbating vulnerability in densely developed regions. Commercial exploitation for meat and the pet trade has intensified, with U.S. exports surging to over 200,000 individuals in peak years like 2012 and 2014, straining recruitment in harvested areas due to the species' slow maturity (15-20 years to reproductive age) and low fecundity. Pollution, including agricultural runoff and contaminants, poses additional risks by degrading water quality and prey availability, though quantitative impacts remain less studied compared to direct mortality sources. While global populations are stable enough for Least Concern status, regional extirpations occur where multiple stressors compound, as adult survivorship naturally exceeds 95% annually but drops sharply under anthropogenic pressure. Climate-induced shifts in nesting success via altered temperatures or hydrology may further interact, but empirical data indicate these are secondary to direct human impacts. Evidence-based mitigation emphasizes targeted interventions over broad protections. For road mortality, installing exclusion fencing combined with underpass or culvert ecopassages has proven effective in reducing turtle fatalities by up to 90% in retrofit trials, facilitating safe migration without broad habitat alteration. Habitat conservation through wetland restoration and riparian buffers, as outlined in species management plans, sustains population connectivity; Canadian strategies prioritize protecting 30% of critical aquatic habitats to counter fragmentation. Regulating harvest via quotas, size limits, and export monitoring—such as those implemented post-2014 peaks—curbs overexploitation, with enforcement yielding stabilized catch rates in compliant jurisdictions. Public programs promoting safe relocation during nesting and anti-poaching education further bolster resilience, leveraging the species' high natural longevity when additive mortality is minimized.

References

[1]
Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) - Species Profile
Chelydra serpentina is a robust turtle with a carapace (upper shell) length of 203-494 mm (8-over 19 in) (Ernst et al., 1994; Conant and Collins, 1998).
[2]
North American Snapping Turtle - Kansas Herpetofaunal Atlas
Snapping Turtles are found in most aquatic situations but prefer water with a soft mud bottom, abundant pond-edge vegetation, and numerous sunken logs and ...
[3]
(PDF) Population ecology of the snapping turtle (Chelydra ...
Aug 8, 2025 · Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) occur in nearly every type of freshwater habitat in North America east of the Rocky Mountains, but little ...
[4]
Common Snapping Turtle - BioKIDS
In captivity they can live up to 47 years. Average lifespan. Status: wild: 30 years. Range lifespan. Status: captivity: 47 ( ...Missing: reproduction | Show results with:reproduction
[5]
Common Snapping Turtle - NC Wildlife
Snapping turtles are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders, that will also feed on invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, carrion and occasionally birds. Like ...Missing: threats | Show results with:threats
[6]
https://smart.dhgate.com/why-snapping-turtles-act-aggressive-behavior-explained/
[7]
Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina): COSEWIC assessment and ...
Females, and presumably also males, in more northern populations mature later (at 15-20 years) and at a larger size than in more southern populations (~12 years) ...
[8]
Snapping Turtle - Montana Field Guide
Jan 6, 2025 · Species is uncommon to rare within its native range across eastern Montana. No trend data are available, but habitat seems stable.
[9]
Draft Genome of the Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina ...
Roughly 60% of turtle species on the IUCN Red List (2017) are considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered (Stanford et al. 2018). Habitat ...
[10]
[PDF] Snapping Turtle
Many of the hatchlings become prey to raccoons, skunks, snakes, bullfrogs, herons, and other large birds. Management. Considerations. Snapping turtles are long- ...Missing: threats | Show results with:threats
[11]
Chelydra serpentina - NatureServe Explorer
Classification. Scientific Name: Chelydra serpentina (Linnaeus, 1758). Other Common Names: Common Snapping Turtle (EN). ,. Eastern Snapping Turtle (EN). ,.
[12]
Chelydra serpentina - NCBI - NLM
Chelydra serpentina. Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a species in the order Testudines (turtles). NCBI Taxonomy ID: 8475; Taxonomic rank ...<|separator|>
[13]
Chelydridae | INFORMATION - Animal Diversity Web
Chelydridae is composed of three species in monotypic genera- Macrochelys temminckii (alligator snapping turtle), Chelydra serpentina (common snapping turtle), ...
[14]
common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina (Linnaeus, 1758))
Idaho Invasive Species Act. Taxonomic Rank. Kingdom: Animalia. Phylum: Chordata. Class: Reptilia. Order: Testudines. Family: Chelydridae. Genus: Chelydra.
[15]
Chelydra serpentina - DigiMorph
Chelydra serpentina, the American snapping turtle, is one of two extant species allocated to Chelydridae, which has a fossil record stretching back into the ...
[16]
[PDF] ( Chelydra serpentina)
Chelydra serpentina is the sole survivor of a genus with a long fossil history in the Tertiary, and Chelydra is considered the basal clade among three ...
[17]
The Phylogenetic Position of the Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae ...
Jun 12, 2009 · Our study finds support for a sister group relationship between Chelydridae and either the clades Kinosternoidea (Kinosternidae Dermatemydidae) or Chelonioidea ...
[18]
Draft Genome of the Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina ...
Dec 1, 2020 · Phylogenetic analyses indicate that TSD is the ancestral mode of sex determination and that genotypic sex determination evolved independently ...Abstract · Materials and Methods · Results and Discussion · Acknowledgments
[19]
Chelydra serpentina - The Reptile Database
Etymology, Probably named serpentina after Latin “serpens” (= snake) for its vicious bite and its often aggressive behavior. The genus has been named after the ...
[20]
Snapping Turtle - INHS Herpetology Collection
Etymology: Chelydra – chelyros (Greek) for tortoise, turtle, water-serpent; serpentina – serpentis (Greek) for snake. Original Description: Linnaeus, C ...
[21]
Snapping Turtle - Virginia Herpetological Society
Chelydra is derived from the Greek word chelydra which means "tortoise". Species: serpentina is derived from the Latin word serpentis meaning "snake". ...
[22]
Chelydra serpentina - The Center for North American Herpetology
From Latin serpentinus, meaning “snake-like” or “serpentine”.
[23]
[PDF] Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife - INVASIVE SPECIES
Common Name: Common Snapping Turtle. Family: Chelydra. Order: Testudines. Class: Reptilia. Species: Chelydra serpentina. Other names: Eastern snapping turtle, ...<|separator|>
[24]
Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle) | INFORMATION
Chelydra serpentina ; Range number of offspring: 83.0 (high) ; Range gestation period: 18.0 (high) weeks ; Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
[25]
Common Snapping Turtle - CT.gov
Nov 2, 2022 · Snapping turtles have a long tail, often measuring as long or longer than the carapace, that is covered with bony plates. They also have a ...
[26]
Snapping Turtle : Reptiles & Amphibians: Species Information: Wildlife
Chelydra serpentina. On this page: Distinguishing Characteristics; Status and Distribution in Maine; Habitat; Diet; Seasonal Changes; Natural History Notes ...
[27]
Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) - Species Profile
Chelydra serpentina is a robust turtle with a carapace (upper shell) length of 203-494 mm (8-over 19 in) (Ernst et al., 1994; Conant and Collins, 1998).Missing: variation | Show results with:variation
[28]
VARIATION, SEXUAL DIMORPHISM, AND MATURITY IN A ...
Conclusions reached are: (a) the sex ratio is one; (b) males grow to a larger size than females; (c) males and females become mature at a carapace length of ...
[29]
(PDF) The Role of Sex-specific Plasticity in Shaping Sexual ...
Mar 27, 2011 · Because snapping turtle males are larger than females, sexual size dimorphism in this species appears to be driven by an increased plasticity of ...
[30]
(PDF) Geographic variation in snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina ...
Geographic variation in female size across the species range is significant. In temperate regions, mean female size is correlated with latitude, longitude ...
[31]
[PDF] Growth in Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina (Testudines
Jan 25, 2022 · However, it is possible that juvenile growth has a substantial genetic component with little geographic variation, except that resulting from ...
[32]
[PDF] invasive species alert! - snapping turtle - Gov.bc.ca
Snapping Turtles found outside of their native range have most likely been translocated though the pet trade. Snapping Turtles are long-lived, on average they ...
[33]
Snapping turtles in Oregon pose threat to native species - ODFW
May 20, 2022 · The common snapping turtle, indigenous to the eastern United States but invasive in Oregon, can reach up to 18 inches in length. Its top shell ...
[34]
Chelydra serpentina subspp. / Invasive Species of Japan
Natural range, North to South America (Canada to Ecuador). ; Habitat, Waterfront, lake or pond, and swamp. Not in stream. ; Origin, USA ; Date, 1960s. ; Route ...
[35]
Snapping Back at Invasive Turtles - FLBS
Oct 12, 2022 · Their sole purpose this summer is to find and destroy as many invasive snapping turtles as they can in the northeast portion of the Flathead Watershed.
[36]
Common snapping turtle - Invasive Species Council of BC
In BC, Common snapping turtles have been found on Southern Vancouver Island – three individuals were reported near Port Alberni in 2012, where another adult was ...<|separator|>
[37]
Potential distribution, observed impacts, and invasion risk of two non ...
Potential distribution, observed impacts, and invasion risk of two non-native snapping turtles, Chelydra serpentina and Macrochelys temminckii. Nerozzi, Iacopo ...
[38]
Seasonal changes in gonadal activity and the effects of stress on ...
Courtship and mating behaviors were observed in spring, summer, and fall. The snapping turtle is strictly aquatic with no basking behavior and limited ...Missing: scientific | Show results with:scientific
[39]
Snapping Turtle Reproduction - Chelydra.org
The male snapper will mount the carapace of a female, holding onto it firmly with the long claws of the front and rear legs, occationally biting her on the top ...
[40]
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/usfws_snapping-turtle-mating-season-activity-6922896800542584832-fFY1
[41]
Eastern Snapping Turtle - Missouri Department of Conservation
The plastron and undersides of the limbs are yellowish white. The upper part of the tail has large, pointy scales in a sawtooth row. In young turtles, the ...
[42]
Secretory proteins in the reproductive tract of the snapping turtle ...
The female reproductive physiology of the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, is of special interest because unlike most turtles it is a monoclutch ...Missing: mating behavior
[43]
Temperature-dependent sex determination modulates ...
We investigated sex differences in cardiovascular maturation in embryos of the snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina, a species with temperature-dependent sex ...
[44]
Tiny turtle time! Common snapping turtle hatchlings typically emerge ...
Sep 5, 2025 · Generally, incubation takes from 75 to 95 days, and hatchings emerge between August and October. Mama snapping turtles often lay eggs in the ...
[45]
Status, distribution, and nesting ecology of Snapping Turtle (<i ...
Aug 28, 2018 · Maximum carapace length was 25.0–31.8 mm (mean = 29.0 mm) and maximum carapace width was 23.5–30.0 mm (mean = 27.0 mm) for 256 hatchlings ...
[46]
Life History - Virginia.gov
Juveniles are patterned as adults but are light gray with yellow plastron. Average carapace length at hatching is 31.6 +/- 1.0 mm; mass is 7.1-8.7 grams *10760* ...
[47]
Embryonic Temperature Influences Juvenile Temperature Choice ...
Feb 1, 1998 · Embryonic Temperature Influences Juvenile Temperature Choice And Growth Rate In Snapping Turtles Chelydra Serpentina.<|control11|><|separator|>
[48]
[PDF] Estimates of Somatic Growth Rates of Common Snapping Turtles ...
Apr 30, 2023 · Population size, survivorship, and capture probability of Chelydra serpentina ... Growth rate, body size, sexual dimorphism and morphometric ...
[49]
[PDF] The Status of Snapping Turtles in the Coastal Plain of Virginia
The snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, is the second largest freshwater turtle in the United States (US) [1].
[50]
[PDF] Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) - Wildlife, plants and species
In Ontario, it is estimated that males reach sexual maturity between 15 and 20 years of age (R. Brooks, unpublished data cited in. COSEWIC, 2008). The lifespan ...
[51]
(PDF) Diet and feeding behaviour of Snapping Turtles (Chelydra ...
As Common Snapping Turtles grow, their diet becomes more variable; however, hard prey items such as mussels and turtles do not seem to be as prevalent as in ...
[52]
The Snapping Turtle: An Important Component of North American ...
The snapping turtle has a diverse diet—individuals are known to eat a variety of live and dead plant and animal material including many small vertebrates.
[53]
Space use patterns of the common snapping turtle, Chelydra ...
Snapping turtles were found to be active both day and night, and throughout all seasons with periodic episodes of inactivity. Snapping turtles were not seen on ...
[54]
Conservation and Ecology of Snapping Turtles - Tortoise Trust Web
Snapping turtles, as we know them today evolved already about 40 million years ago (5), and they are the ancestors of about 80% of all the turtles today.
[55]
Use of the Tail in Terrestrial Locomotor Activities of Juvenile ... - jstor
Nov 19, 1996 · of turtles. In summary, juvenile C. serpentina use their tails to improve performance in some aspects of terrestrial locomotion. Potential uses ...
[56]
Notes on the Defensive Behavior of the Snapping Turtle, Chelydra ...
Apr 10, 2018 · Limiting partial water immersion and the use of a toilet plunger as a muzzle in more aggressive, rambunctious snapping turtles may reduce the ...Missing: sources | Show results with:sources
[57]
Common Snapping Turtle - Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
This, plus its slowness on dry land, explains the Snapping Turtle's aggressive behaviour when threatened. Skin colour is typically grey to black, with a slight ...
[58]
Snapping Turtles - Think Turtle Conservation Initiative
Snapping turtles often spin around to face their predator, followed by snapping and bouncing in a lunging motion. Leave the turtle alone to recover from being ...
[59]
Five fast facts about those not-so-ferocious snapping turtles
Aug 25, 2022 · When it comes to food, they aren't picky. If they can grab it, they will eat it. They are omnivores, and common foods include fish, birds, ...
[60]
Temperature effects on snapping performance in the common ...
Nov 8, 2010 · Overview of mean performance measurements of Chelydra serpentina under different temperature intervals. Bite force, Jaw closing, Neck extension.
[61]
Snapping Turtle Page - behavior - Chelydra.org
The common snapping turtle can be described as highly aggressive when defending itself. ... Their " snap " is not an act af aggression, but a defense mechanism, ...<|separator|>
[62]
6 cool things you should know about snapping turtles - Iowa DNR
Aug 8, 2019 · Major egg predators are raccoons, skunks and opossums. Hatchlings are hunted by hawks, snakes, herons, crows, bullfrogs and large fish.
[63]
Meet the Critters! The Common Snapping Turtle
Skunks, raccoons, crows, herons, hawks, snakes, and even bullfrogs prey on snapping turtle eggs and young. Adult common snapping turtles have no known predators ...
[64]
eastern snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) prey on migratory ...
Sep 23, 2020 · The eastern snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is an ambush predator of many taxa, including fish, and one of the most widely distributed ...
[65]
[PDF] Diet and Feeding Behaviour of Snapping Turtles (Chelydra ...
Feb 2, 2016 · We compare diet and feeding behaviour of Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) and Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) in ...
[66]
eastern snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) prey on migratory ...
Sep 23, 2020 · Stable isotope analyses identified an apparent shift in turtle diet to consumption of river herring in turtles from culvert sites that was not ...
[67]
Common snapping turtle preys on an adult western grebe
The Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentine) is considered a major predator of waterfowl and other aquatic birds, but the evidence for this reputation is ...
[68]
Adult Snapping Turtle (<i>Chelydra serpentina</i>) Feeding on ...
Feb 28, 2018 · Rarely observed predatory behaviour of adult Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) was recorded using remote video technology. We observed ...
[69]
Kinematics of Aquatic Prey Capture in the Snapping Turtle Chelydra ...
Mar 1, 1992 · The results of this study demonstrate that Chelydra serpentina possesses the ability to modulate feeding kinematics based on prey type. Both ...Missing: diet | Show results with:diet
[70]
[PDF] evaluating the role of common snapping turtles (chelydra
For example, the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), can reduce prey populations and trigger long- lasting phytoplankton blooms after short visits.
[71]
Bioaccumulation and physiological responses of the turtle Chelydra ...
Chelydra serpentina serpentina (common snapping turtle) have been used as environmental indicators of PCB pollution upwards of 40 years given their high site ...
[72]
[PDF] the use of snapping turtle eggs as an indicator of contaminant ...
Environmental contaminants in eggs of the common snapping turtle. (Chelydra serpentina serpentina) from the Great Lakes –St. Lawrence River Basin in Ontario ...
[73]
[PDF] Snapping Turtle Egg Data Report - NY.gov
Mar 30, 2005 · Past and continuing discharges of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have contaminated natural resources of the Hudson River, New York.
[74]
Atrazine and glyphosate dynamics in a lotic ecosystem - PubMed
Feb 13, 2015 · Atrazine and glyphosate dynamics in a lotic ecosystem: the common snapping turtle as a sentinel species. Environ Monit Assess. 2015 Mar;187(3): ...
[75]
Using Lake Michigan turtles to measure wetland pollution | News
Jun 7, 2016 · It appears that Lake Michigan painted and snapping turtles could be a useful source for measuring the resulting pollution.
[76]
Effects of environmental contaminants on snapping turtles of a tidal ...
Snapping turtles from the brackish-water area had an unusually low lipid content of body fat and reduced growth compared to turtles from the fresh-water areas ...Missing: sentinel | Show results with:sentinel
[77]
Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) as bioindicators in Canadian ...
Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in the Canadian or binational Great Lakes region are well-established indicators of localized environmental contamination ...
[78]
Five fun facts about snapping turtles in Indiana - IndyStar
Jul 14, 2019 · Historians speculate snapping turtle meat was served at the first Thanksgiving. It went on to be popular in high-society circles in the late ...
[79]
The Turtles of Philadelphia's Culinary Past - Penn Museum
Although turtle soup was the most popular and became the most famous of the dishes, many period cookbooks gave instructions for between five and seven distinct ...<|separator|>
[80]
An Enduring Tidewater Tradition: Snapping Turtle Soup
Jan 9, 2023 · Snapping turtle soup is a local delicacy, a regional item, and a tradition at Hunters' Tavern, made with turtles simmered in tomato broth, and ...
[81]
Creole Turtle Soup | Hank Shaw
Rating 4.9 (36) · 3 hr 20 minJan 21, 2014 · A classic turtle soup recipe done New Orleans Creole style. This is an old school turtle soup recipe, done with snapping turtle.
[82]
How to Catch, Clean, and Eat Snapping Turtle | MeatEater Fishing
Aug 25, 2023 · Snapping turtle is perfect for chowders, stews, and soups, and it's a fantastic substitute for chicken or pork in any sort of mishmash dish ...
[83]
Best Turtle Recipes - MissHomemade.com
Turtle can be stir-fried, fried, or used in stews, gumbo, or gravy. It can be deep fried as nuggets, or in a turtle stew.
[84]
[PDF] Fishery Leaflet 69 - Scientific Publications Office
The yield of meat, including leg bones, from snapping turtles, is said to be about one-half the weight of the live turtle. The alligator snapping turtle, which ...
[85]
Has anyone tried turtle soup? : r/Old_Recipes - Reddit
Oct 19, 2024 · ... common snapping turtles - which are mostly now consumed in Cajun dishes. Turtles are pretty good at bioconcentrating toxins and heavy metals ...
[86]
Snapping Turtle Regulations - CT.gov
Jan 15, 2020 · Size Limit: Minimum 13” shell length. Legal Methods: Hand capture, dip net, turtle hook, floating or non-floating turtle trap, or hook and line.
[87]
4VAC15-360-30. Taking of snapping turtles, crayfish ... - Virginia Law
1. It shall be unlawful to harvest any snapping turtle with less than a 13-inch curved carapace length. 2. It shall be unlawful to harvest snapping ...Missing: US | Show results with:US
[88]
Md. Code Regs. 08.02.06.01 - Snapping Turtles | State Regulations
A person may not harvest or possess a snapping turtle for commercial purposes that has a carapace length that is less than 11 inches.
[89]
Turtle Harvest Regulations - TN.gov
Common snapping turtles may be taken by all legal sport fishing methods except archery, spear guns, and dipping. Turtles taken by sport fishing methods may not ...
[90]
Snapping Turtle Care Sheet - The Turtle Source
Snapping turtles need large enclosures, are omnivorous, and require a diet of live prey and commercial pellets. Avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity.
[91]
Snapping Turtle Care Sheet - Imperial Reptiles & Exotics
Babies can be kept in a 20 gallon aquarium for the first 2 to 3 years and should be upgraded to 10 gallons per inch of shell length. Keep the water level low ...
[92]
Why is it not recommended to have a snapping turtle as a pet? - Quora
Dec 2, 2017 · They are aggressive. Not purposefully, that's just their nature, common snappers especially. A snapper will not seek out to attack a person. The ...What do pet snapping turtles need?How are snapping turtles like as pets?More results from www.quora.com
[93]
So You Want to Keep a Dinosaur?: A Guide to Keeping Snapping ...
Jan 14, 2021 · They eat a lot. Their enclosures can weigh well over a ton and require filtration that you have to routinely clean out by hand, which is gross.
[94]
Is it legal to own pet turtles in the United States? If not, why ... - Quora
Dec 27, 2022 · America is a FREE country, so, of course, turtles are regulated. Selling turtles less than 4 inches is illegal under federal law and simple ...
[95]
U.S. Finalizes Trade Protections for Four Freshwater Turtle Species ...
May 23, 2016 · The listing of the common snapping, Florida softshell, smooth softshell and spiny softshell turtles under CITES will require exporters to obtain ...
[96]
58 Pa. Code § 79.5 - Snapping turtle permits | State Regulations
(c) It is unlawful to sell, barter, trade or offer for sale a common snapping turtle, dead or alive, in whole or in parts, taken from lands or waters of this ...
[97]
Amphibians & Reptiles FAQs | Fish and Boat Commission
To sell a snapping turtle, you would need to have a commercial snapping turtle permit. Also, it is unlawful to possess, import or export species listed as ...
[98]
Study shows commercial harvest of snapping turtles is leading to ...
Oct 25, 2017 · More than 200,000 wild snapping turtles were harvested across the United States in 2012 and 2014, Colteaux said, a dramatic increase from the ...
[99]
Overview of the Commercial Harvest of Snapping Turtles in Virginia
Females are generally exported live to support aquaculture, but the bulk of males harvested in the US are butchered, canned, and exported as processed meat.
[100]
Turtles - Agricultural Marketing Resource Center
The USDA's 2023 Census of Aquaculture reported 49 farms producing turtles and/or turtle eggs, with a combined total of $5,340,000 in sales. Turtles were ...
[101]
Ancient Reptiles Need Modern Regulations: The Case for Including ...
Like the alligator snapping turtle the common snapping turtle is traded commercially in high numbers. They are primarily exported to provide turtle meat in East ...
[102]
Commercial harvest and export of snapping turtles (Chelydra ...
Females are generally exported live to support aquaculture, but the bulk of males harvested in the US are butchered, canned, and exported. Gravid females fetch ...
[103]
[PDF] Petition to End Unlimited Commercial Harvest of Common Snapping ...
May 5, 2021 · Although common snapping turtles are not significantly threatened overall, urbanization and excessive harvest has local impacts (NatureServe ...
[104]
Are Snapping Turtles Dangerous? - The Orianne Society
Jun 8, 2021 · When confronted on land, Snapping Turtles will hold their ground, open their mouths, and may attempt to bite any person or animal that attacks ...
[105]
Common Snapping Turtle Control
Hoop-net traps are the most effective way to remove damage-causing common snapping turtles. These barrel-shaped traps are typically 4 to 6 feet long with three, ...
[106]
Chelydra serpentine Scorecard - Invasive Species List of California
Feb 18, 2010 · Its indigenous range encompasses the entire eastern and central United States but now exists in scattered populations in every western state ( ...
[107]
Snapping Turtle - Chelydra serpentina - California Herps
The native range of the species Chelydra serpentina - Common Snapping Turtle is roughly from the east coast of North America to the Rocky Mountains and from ...
[108]
Modeling the Effects of Commercial Harvest on Population Growth of ...
Dec 1, 2014 · Commercial turtle harvest is considered one of the major contributing factors to declines in turtle populations. Few long-term studies have ...
[109]
IUCN Red List assessment, Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina ...
Chelydra serpentina currently qualifies as Least Concern (LC) status on the IUCN Red List. Moving forward, the careful monitoring of population, harvest, and ...