18 Interesting Facts You Should Know About Snapping Turtle

             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

1. Snapping Turtles are large, freshwater reptiles found only in The Americas.
2. There are two species- The Common Snapping Turtle and the alligator Snapping Turtle.
3. The Common Snapping turtles are known to inhabit higher altitudes than the Alligator Snapping turtles.
4. The alligator snapping turtles are larger than the common snapping turtles.
5. The common snapping turtles have a smoother shell and a rounded head.
6. Whereas the alligator snapping turtle has a long head and spikier shell.
7. They spend most of their time in water and only the females come out on land to lay their eggs and nest.
8. The Snapping turtles are top predators in their environment and feed on a variety of animals.
9. They common snapping turtles are more active hunters than the alligator snapping turtles that feed mostly on fish.
10. They have a pink worm-like appendage, which they use to lure and prey on fish.
11. Snapping turtles get their name from their powerful snapping jaws which they use to prey and also defend themselves.
12. They also have huge, thick claws that they use to tear their food and also to climb hills.
13. The alligator snapping turtles inhabit the fresh waters of North America.
14. The common snapping turtles inhabit the lakes and streams from Canada to South America.
15. They are capable of being submerged in water for as long as three hours.
16. They mate during the spring and the female snapping turtle lays around 10-50 eggs that hatch after 3-4 months.
17. Snapping turtles are known to live around 20-50 years in captivity.
18. They are considered as species that are threatened from extinction.