Within the Chelydridae family of big freshwater turtles is the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Its natural range reaches as far east as Florida and Nova Scotia, as well as southwest to the edge of the Rocky Mountains and southeast Canada. The presence of Chelydra serpentina in the Middle Rio Grande today in good numbers proves it is native and has been there since at least the seventeenth century. [3] There are three species of Chelydra and the larger alligator snapping turtles genus Macrochelys represents the only surviving member of the Chelydrid family, which today is restricted to the Americas. As its name suggests, the common snapping turtle is the most common type.
The common snapping turtle is called serpentine, which means “snake-like,” because of its formidable beak-like jaws and highly flexible head and neck, which give it a confrontational attitude when out of the water. It will probably run away from the water and hide in the sediment below. The life history strategy of the Common Snapping Turtle is one of low reproductive success per reproductive event, delayed sexual maturity, high and variable mortality of embryos and hatchlings, and extended longevity of adults.
Females—and possibly males—of more northern populations mature later (15–20 years) and are larger than in more southern populations, where maturity is attained after approximately 12 years. Longevity in the wild is unknown, but long-term mark-recapture data from Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada indicate that a maximum age of over 100 years is possible.
Baby snapping turtle
Scientifically known as Chelydra serpentina, baby snapping turtles are truly amazing reptiles indigenous to North America. It takes about 80-90 days for them to incubate before they hatch from their eggs, which falls towards the end of summer or early fall. The outstanding characteristic that sets them apart would be their long tails—these are often the length of their bodies—and their tiny, scratchy shells.
Snapping turtles are about the size of a quarter when they are born, but they grow quickly. With their powerful jaws and keen beaks, they hunt fish, tadpoles, and small aquatic insects for their food The turtles are known to use powerful jaws in self-defense and are quite aggressive, so they are renowned when in danger.
Ecologically, young snapping turtles will best do well in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and rivers.
They are rather good swimmers, and they tend to lie in ambush in the mud at the bottom to catch their prey. They are not in danger because of conservation, but pollution and habitat destruction are major threats against them.
In summary, young snapping turtles form an integral component in their environment; they are hardy and adaptable, hence fascinating to both naturalists and herpetologists due to their activities and traits that set them apart from others.
Natural History.
The alligator snapping turtle is famous for its stocky, armored carapace, a characteristic that gives it such a “prehistoric” appearance, often eliciting analogies to dinosaurs. They have a dark-brown carapace with three well-marked broad keels from front to back, and a heaviness of spikes is observed. Their eyes are in their head sideways, unlike other species of snapping turtles in the front. Further, they have large, pointed heads with hooked beaks. Their skin varies in color from brown to greyish, with a lighter hue on the underside. Their tails are long, thick, and coated in scales about their length.
Although they are smaller, hatchlings resemble adults. Still, in captivity, they can live much longer. There is a record of the oldest captive alligator snapping turtle that lived up. The Maximum size and weight of an alligator snapping turtle is 80–100 cm and 70–90 kg, respectively. In the wild, they have a 45-year lifespan. to the age of 70 years.
Distribution And Habitat
The freshwater habitats of the southeastern United States are home to the alligator snapping turtle. It can be found from the Florida Panhandle, west to East Texas, north to western Illinois, southern Indiana, west Michigan, western Kentucky, Louisiana, and western Tennessee, and southeast to Kansas, Missouri, and southeast Iowa—usually, only females who are nesting venture into open areas.
They do not generally occur in isolated marshes and ponds; instead, they are only present in streams that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. As indicated in one study, turtles prefer areas that provide beaver dens, dead submerged trees, overhanging trees, and plants. In these habitats, the species utilizes core sites, and females generally forage in larger areas than males. Their typical home range is 750 m. The home ranges are wider for women than for men.
Behavior
Since they are at the top of the food chain in their habitat, they would likely have less fear or aggression. Rarely, when they come across a species that is foreign to them, like people, they will get interested and examine the surroundings. Even fewer times, they might accidentally bump their noses against the leg of the person who is standing in the water. Despite their vicious nature, snapping turtles will silently retreat from any commotion or seek cover under surrounding mud or grass when they come into contact with a swimmer or when they notice one in the water.
Relations With Humans
As Food
Although large-scale consumption of common snapping turtles can pose a health risk due to the potential concentration of hazardous environmental pollutants in their flesh, these turtles are a classic ingredient in turtle soup.
Reputation
The snapping turtle does not attack with its huge claws; however, being handled by humans can render them lethal.
Various stories, to this effect, describe common snapping turtles as using their overall size and strength to discourage would-be predators. While it is undeniably true that their powerful jaws are more than capable of removing human fingers or toes, there have been no recorded instances of this species having done so. Underwater, common snapping turtles are “quite docile” creatures who would sooner avoid conflict than instigate it.
Conclusion
It is easily recognized by its generally hostile disposition and exceptionally long life expectancy—one hundred-plus The common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, and the alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys spp., are large freshwater reptiles; furthermore, they are strictly limited to the Americas. Of these, the common snapping turtle may be both the most ubiquitous and the most versatile. Years are not unknown. The alligator snapping turtle, however, is enormous and very primitive looking, with most of its area inhabiting the Southeast of the United States, and living up to 70 years in the wild. Known to be violent, the snapping turtle generally keeps away from human conflict and is an important top predator in their environments. Although certain threats from pollution and habitat destruction persist, they form an important and interesting component of biodiversity in North America.
FAQs
- How are young snapping turtles behaving? What do they eat?
Baby snapping turtles are carnivorous. They feed on fish, tadpoles, and small aquatic invertebrates. They are known to be quite aggressive and rise to any provocation, using their powerful jaws in defense.
- Do humans have anything to fear from snapping turtles?
This is information about snapping turtles: they are very aggressive and have strong jaws, but they avoid people. They have never been known to sever a human finger or toe, and they almost always retreat or find hiding places when they feel threatened.
- What benefits do snapping turtles offer their respective ecosystems?
In their freshwater environments, snapping turtles are important top predators. They support the management of fish, tadpoles, and aquatic insect populations, preserving the ecological balance of these environments. Their presence controls prey species and aids in the cycling of nutrients, which benefits the health and diversity of their environments.