Snapping Turtle

Snapping Turtle, common name for two genera of large freshwater turtles, noted for their strong jaws and fierce tempers. The common snapping turtle of the rivers and marshes of North and Central America can have a carapace, or upper shell, almost 50 cm (19.7 in) in length but it is usually about half that size. Its powerful jaws grip so tenaciously on prey that it may sometimes be lifted up by the object it bites. It feeds on fish and other small aquatic animals. The alligator snapper, of the rivers of the southeastern United States, is larger than the common snapping turtle, sometimes attaining a weight of more than 100 kg (220 lb). This turtle has a pink wormlike structure on its tongue that it wiggles like a fishing lure to attract prey. Early in June, female alligator snappers dig holes in a sandbank and bury about 25 to 50 round eggs, smoothing the sand carefully over them.

Scientific classification: Snapping turtles make up the family Chelydridae. The common snapping turtle is classified as Chelydra serpentina and the alligator snapper as Macroclemys temminckii.