The Snapping Turtle
One of the most well-known types of turtles is the Snapping Turtle, which is a large freshwater turtle that has a range from southeastern Canada to the Rocky Mountains, in Mexico and as far south as Ecuador.
Known for their powerful jaws, they have a highly mobile head and neck and generally live for up to 30 years in the wild. Sadly, they are also heavily hunted for their meat, which is used in turtle soup.
Physiology
Generally, the turtles have very muscular builds and a shell length of 50 centremetres, with 36 centremetres being the most common size. Typically, the turtles will grow to about 35 pounds. The snapping turtle is an omnivore, and will eat both animal life and plant matter. Typically, they will hunt prey that can be swallowed including fish, frogs and reptiles, including smaller turtles, as well as small mammals and small birds. The species will mate from April to November, with the females holding sperm for several seasons if it is needed. Typically, the female will deposit 25 to 80 eggs a year. Incubation is nine to 18 weeks.
Habitat
Typically, the turtles can be found in ponds, lakes and streams, preferring to inhabit areas where they can bask on the surface of the water by floating there with their shells exposed. Sometimes, in shallow waters, the snapping turtle will lie beneath the water on the muddy bottom with only their head exposed out of the water.
Conservation Status
The snapping turtle is currently not threatened, as has as designated status of ‘Least Concern’ on the endangered animal scale.
Status Among Humans
The snapping turtle has actually become a special type of turtle for people in North America, even being used in a famous political cartoon from 1808 that was made in protest of the Jeffersonian Embargo Act of 1807, which depicted the turtle with its jaws locked onto an American trader who was attempting to carry a barrel of goods onto a British Ship.
As well, the snapping turtle was declared the state reptile of New York in 2006 after it was overwhelmingly chosen by the state’s children.
Conclusion
The snapping turtle is one of the most common and beloved of all turtles in North America. Stretching across the continent, it is known for its strong jaws, joy of basking and symbol of ferocity in a small size, something a country can relate to.