common snapping turtle
(Chelydra serpentina)
| Conservation Status | IUCN Red List |
LC - Least Concern |
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NatureServe |
N5 - Secure S3 - Vulnerable |
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Minnesota |
not listed |
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| Occurrence | Common |
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| Habitat | Lakes, ponds and marshes, streams and rivers |
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| Lifespan | 30 to 47 years |
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| Size | 8″ to 18″ |
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| Identification | This is the largest turtle species in Minnesota. The tail is almost as long as the upper shell (carapace). |
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| Similar Species |
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| Food | Opportunistic feeders. Plant matter, carrion, and any living thing. |
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| Life Cycle |
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| Behavior |
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| Distribution |  |
Sources: 7, 11, 14, 24, 29, 72. | |||||
| Comments | Conservation Status Subspecies |
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| Taxonomy | Order: |
Testudines (turtles) |
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Suborder: |
Cryptodira (hidden-necked turtles) |
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Superfamily: |
Testudinoidea |
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Family: |
Chelydridae (snapping turtles) |
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| Synonyms | Chelydra emarginata Chelydra lacertina Chelydra laticarinata Chelydra osceola Chelydra sculpta Chelydra serpentina osceola Chelydra serpentina serpentina Devisia mythodes Testudo serpentaria Testudo serpentina |
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| Common Names |
common snapping turtle North American snapping turtle snapping turtle |
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Visitor Photos |
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Share your photo of this reptile. |
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Jane Johnsen |
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Kirk Nelson |
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Fort Snelling State Park. On the trail along the west side of Snelling Lake; I gave it a wide berth. |
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Nerstrand Big Woods State Park |
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Jenny Stevens |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Snapping Turtle Andree Reno Sanborn |
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About
Chelydra serpentina NH Conservation Status: Not listed State Rank Status: Widespread and secure. Distribution: Throughout state, less common in northern New Hampshire. Description:A large turtle measuring 8-14 inches and weighing up to 70 pounds. A rough carapace ranges in color form black to light brown. The head is large and the tail is long with a distinct saw-toothed edge. Commonly Confused Species: Juveniles may be confused with musk turtles and wood turtles. Habitat: Any permanent water body such as lakes, ponds, swamps, bogs, streams, and rivers, especially aquatic habitats with muddy bottoms and abundant submerged logs and aquatic vegetation. Use terrestrial habitats while searching for appropriate nesting sites and traveling among wetland habitats. Life History: Lays 20-40 eggs in soil banks or sand and gravel piles in fields or lawns and may be several hundred feet or more from water. Hibernates in mud bottom or under logs or other submerged debris, sometimes communally. Conservation Threats: Water pollution, road mortality, habitat loss. source: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Nongame/turtles/snapping_turtle.htm |
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| Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Bill Keim |
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| Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle) Allen Chartier |
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| Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle) John Clare |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this reptile. |
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Other Videos |
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| Huge Snapping Turtle Bruce Causier |
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About
Uploaded on Jun 25, 2011 A Common snapping turtle is a large freshwater turtle.(Chelydra serpentina) They eat carrion (dead animals), plants, small birds and fish.They have strong jaws which can deliver a powerful bite that can take your finger off. So stay clear of their mouth. To see more video's about snapping turtles visit YouTube user: SnowWalkerPrime. Follow Me On Twitter - https://twitter.com/BruceCausier Follow Me On Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+BruceCausier |
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| The Snapping Turtle (Chelydridae: Chelydra serpentina) Locomotion Carl Barrentine |
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About
Uploaded on Dec 26, 2009 A contemplative look at the Common Snapping Turtle, which is a surprisingly common but seldom seen species that is found in rivers, ponds, and lakes in the upper midwest of the United States. Specimens shown here were photographed in North Dakota during the summer of 2009. |
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| Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) WisCBMnetwork |
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About
Published on Mar 13, 2013 No description available. |
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| Snapping Turtle (Chelydridae: Chelydra serpentina) on Road Carl Barrentine |
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About
Uploaded on May 30, 2010 Photographed near the Rydell NWR, Minnesota (27 May 2010). |
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| Common Snapping Turtle HookedOnScience |
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About
Uploaded on May 16, 2010 They are the largest of the freshwater turtles living in the United States and one of them tries to snap our Science Guy. Jason Lindsey shows us a common snapping turtleone you might encounter if you are out and about in nature. |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Share your sighting of this reptile. |
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| Kirk Nelson 5/29/2017 |
Location: Fort Snelling State Park On the trail along the west side of Snelling Lake; I gave it a wide berth. |
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| Jenny Stevens 7/6/2015 |
Location: Inver Grove Heights |
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| Kirk Nelson 5/31/2014 |
Location: Nerstrand Big Woods State Park |
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| Kirk Nelson Fall, 2013 |
Bass Ponds in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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