Did You Know?
- The snapping turtle is an omnivore (eats both plants and animals) and eats carrion (dead organisms) as well.
- It often buries itself in the mud with only its nostrils and eyes showing, waiting for unsuspecting prey.
- They seem aggressive, but often avoid confrontation and their behavior is actually defensive.
- They will snap at anything they find threatening. Their snap is so powerful that it can easily shear fingers-so stay a safe distance away!
- Snappers spend most of their lives in the water, where they will generally swim away from people when encountered.
- Snapping turtles live 30-40 years on average.
- It is one of the largest turtles in North America.
- The snapping turtle is New York's official state reptile.
Learn more about snapping turtles from the article, In the Company of Dinosaurs (PDF), from the April 2017 issue of the Conservationist.
What to Watch for:
Size:
8-20" shell length, average of 8-35 lbs.
Appearance:
- Upper shell is tan, brown, black or olive gray with three ridges, called keels.
- Tail is long with jagged saw-toothed ridges.
Where to Watch:
Lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and marshes throughout New York, particularly in slow moving, shallow waters with a muddy bottom. One of the most adaptable reptiles in New York, they are even found in urban waterways. Females move to upland nesting locations predominantly in the early morning or early evening. The preferred nesting locations are within 100 feet of the water and typically occur in sandy or loamy soils, making backyard gardens a frequent nesting location. Where water temperatures are cooler, animals may sometimes be found perched atop rocks that provide easy access back into the water.
When to Watch:
Snapping turtle are most obvious when they are on land, basking or nesting. June is the best time of year to spot a snapping turtle. Snapping turtles overwinter under the muddy bottom of their watery home, so they are generally not seen from November to late March.
The Best Places to Watch:
Click on the links below to get more information about each site.
