Common Snapping Turtle

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle of the family Chelydridae. Its natural range extends from southeastern Canada, southwest to the edge of the Rocky Mountains, as far east as Nova Scotia and Florida. This species and the larger alligator snapping turtle are the only two species in this family found in North America.

 

Snapping turtles have fierce dispositions, but when encountered in the water, they usually slip quietly away from any disturbance. Snapping turtles have evolved the ability to snap because, unlike other turtles, they are too large to hide in their shells when confronted. Snapping is their defense mechanism. Snapping turtles will bite humans if threatened, but as a last resort. The turtle will try to scare off threats by hissing before it bites.

 

The common snapping turtle is an aquatic ambush hunter, capturing its prey with its beak-like jaws.

 

I found this one at Dinner Island Ranch in Hendry County, Florida.

I wanted to help it clean its nose out (Rock or Booger in it), but decided that I wanted to keep all my fingers for a while longer. So I chose not to go that route.

 

Done