SNAPPING TURTLE

either of two species of edible freshwater turtles (family Chelydridae) named for their method of biting. Snapping turtles are found in North and Central America and are noted for their large size and aggressive nature. They are tan to black in colour and have a rough upper shell, a small, cross-shaped lower shell, a long tail, and a large head with hooked jaws. The female in both species lays clutches of 20 to 40 eggs; the young at hatching have shells about 2.54 centimetres (11.5 inches) long. Snapping turtles have long been valued as food. The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is widespread from Canada to Central America. It is distinguished by a saw-edged crest on the upper side of its tail and averages 2030 cm (812 in.) in shell length and 4.516 kilograms (1035 pounds) in weight. When young it has three longitudinal ridges on the upper shell; these become worn down with time. The common snapping turtle is often found buried in mud in shallow water. It is omnivorous and in the water is usually unaggressive; on land, it may lunge and snap. The alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys (or sometimes Macroclemys) temmincki, is the largest freshwater turtle in the United States. It is found in southern and central regions and is a sluggish turtle with three prominent longitudinal ridges on the upper shell. Shell length is about 4070 cm (1628 in.); weight ranges from about 18 to 70 kg (40 to 155 lb) with a record of about 100 kilograms. The alligator snapping turtle has a wormlike appendage on the floor of its mouth. It often lies quietly on the bottom, mouth open, and lures fishes within reach by means of this structure. It also eats plants. Fossil snapping turtles have been found in Miocene deposits in Europe and North America.