Common Snapping Turtle
As we were driving into Algonquin Provincial Park, we came to what looked like a piece of exploded tyre on the road. It was a big piece of tyre so we slowed right down, and saw that it was actually a big turtle.
It was basking on the warm tarmac right in the middle of the road. We stopped the car to take a closer look. A couple of other cars stopped too and there were suddenly quite a few people standing right up close to it taking photos.
Clearly feeling uncomfortable about this, the turtle started to walk back to the undergrowth by the roadside, and in its haste to get away, walked right over the side of the steep roadside bank. It rolled down the slope and came to rest on its back for a moment, before righting itself and continuing on its way.
The Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle of the family Chelydridae. Its natural range extends from southeastern Canada south-west to the Rocky Mountains (and beyond, where introduced), throughout Mexico, and as far south as Ecuador. This species and the larger Alligator Snapping Turtle are both widely referred to as snapping turtles or snappers (though the Common Snapping Turtle, as its name implies, is much more widespread overall). The Snapping Turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the western United States.
Common snappers are noted for their belligerent disposition when out of the water, their powerful beak-like jaws and their highly mobile head and neck (hence the specific name "serpentina," meaning "snake-like"). In some areas they are hunted very heavily for their meat, a popular ingredient in turtle soup. These turtles have lived for up to 47 years in captivity, while the lifespan of wild individuals is estimated to be around 30 years.
Common Snapping Turtle
As we were driving into Algonquin Provincial Park, we came to what looked like a piece of exploded tyre on the road. It was a big piece of tyre so we slowed right down, and saw that it was actually a big turtle.
It was basking on the warm tarmac right in the middle of the road. We stopped the car to take a closer look. A couple of other cars stopped too and there were suddenly quite a few people standing right up close to it taking photos.
Clearly feeling uncomfortable about this, the turtle started to walk back to the undergrowth by the roadside, and in its haste to get away, walked right over the side of the steep roadside bank. It rolled down the slope and came to rest on its back for a moment, before righting itself and continuing on its way.
The Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle of the family Chelydridae. Its natural range extends from southeastern Canada south-west to the Rocky Mountains (and beyond, where introduced), throughout Mexico, and as far south as Ecuador. This species and the larger Alligator Snapping Turtle are both widely referred to as snapping turtles or snappers (though the Common Snapping Turtle, as its name implies, is much more widespread overall). The Snapping Turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the western United States.
Common snappers are noted for their belligerent disposition when out of the water, their powerful beak-like jaws and their highly mobile head and neck (hence the specific name "serpentina," meaning "snake-like"). In some areas they are hunted very heavily for their meat, a popular ingredient in turtle soup. These turtles have lived for up to 47 years in captivity, while the lifespan of wild individuals is estimated to be around 30 years.