Common Snapping Turtle

Species Details

A large aquatic turtle (8.0 to 18.5 inches in length) with a large, pointed head, rough carapace (upper shell), and long saw-tooth ridged tail.   Carapace (upper shell) ranges from brown to nearly black, while the plastron (lower shell) is small and creamy to yellowish.   Young Snapping Turtles have very rough shells, long tails, and light spot at edge of each marginal scute (plate).

Photo by Steve Ward