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Abbreviation Legend

  • (CE) - Criticially Endangered
  • (CI) - Critically Imperiled
  • (E) - Endangered
  • (I) - Introduced
  • (IM) - Imperiled
  • (NT) - Near Threatened
  • (T) - Threatened
  • (V) - Vulnerable
  • (**) - Recent Classification Change
Home »» Turtles & Tortoises »» Chelydridae (Snapping Turtles)

Snapping Turtles (Chelydridae) of the United States


Snapping Turtles are among the largest of living freshwater species. They are characterized by massive heads with powerful hooked jaws, long tails, relatively small cross shaped plastrons, and carapaces with 12 marginal scutes on each side.

These primitive looking turtles occupy aquatic habitats of many descriptions, are opportunistic feeders, and lay large numbers of flexible shelled, spherical shaped eggs, Males grow larger then females.

 

There are only 3 species of Snapping Turtles in the United States, all of which are native species.

Snapping Turtle
(Chelydra serpentina)
(CI)

Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle
(Macrochelys suwanniensis)
(V)

Alligator Snapping Turtle
(Macrochelys temmincki)

 

 

 

 

Recommended Books at Amazon.com


Turtles of North America: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Turtles of the Continental United States and Canada     Turtles of the United States and Canada     Common Box Turtles     Complete North American Box Turtle



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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 
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