Kingdom : Animalia Class : Reptilia Family : Chelydridae Scientific Name : Chelydridae Size : 47 - 80cm (18.5 - 31in) Weight : 16 - 136kg (35 - 300lbs) Top Speed : 4km/h (2.4mph) Life Span : 20 - 32 years Colour : Brown, Tan, Black Skin Type : Scales Special Features : Powerful legs and strong jaw
- Snapping Turtles are large, freshwater reptiles found only in The Americas.
- There are two species- The Common Snapping Turtle and the alligator Snapping Turtle.
- The Common Snapping turtles are known to inhabit higher altitudes than the Alligator Snapping turtles.
- The alligator snapping turtles are larger than the common snapping turtles.
- The common snapping turtles have a smoother shell and a rounded head.
- Whereas the alligator snapping turtle has a long head and spikier shell.
- They spend most of their time in water and only the females come out on land to lay their eggs and nest.
- The Snapping turtles are top predators in their environment and feed on a variety of animals.
- They common snapping turtles are more active hunters than the alligator snapping turtles that feed mostly on fish.
- They have a pink worm-like appendage, which they use to lure and prey on fish.
- Snapping turtles get their name from their powerful snapping jaws which they use to prey and also defend themselves.
- They also have huge, thick claws that they use to tear their food and also to climb hills.
- The alligator snapping turtles inhabit the fresh waters of North America.
- The common snapping turtles inhabit the lakes and streams from Canada to South America.
- They are capable of being submerged in water for as long as three hours.
- They mate during the spring and the female snapping turtle lays around 10-50 eggs that hatch after 3-4 months.
- Snapping turtles are known to live around 20-50 years in captivity.
- They are considered as species that are threatened from extinction.