There are
two types of snapper turtles, or snapping turtles—the common snapper turtle and the alligator
snapper turtle.
The Common Snapper Turtle
Snappers live in estuaries, shallow lakes, ponds, or streams. They are
omnivorous creatures that feed on plants and animals alike. They eat anything
they can swallow, including birds, fish, frogs, mammals, reptiles, snakes, and
smaller turtles,
When common snapping turtles bask, they either do it by floating on water,
their carpaces the only part of them above water, or they may also walk to land
and bask under the sun.
The common snapping turtle is named so because of its speed and power to snap
down its jaws. In fact, a large adult snapper turtle can bite off a finger or a
toe.
Handling a snapper turtle by its tail can injure it, despite contrary
beliefs. You can injure its tail and the vertebral column if you pick it up by
its tail, and especially if you do not handle it with care. But because it bites
viciously, it is safer to move it quickly using a shovel. It can also stretch
its neck halfway back across its own shell or carapace to bite you, if ever you
attempt to lift it.
Be careful when lifting a snapper because it might musk, defecate, or urinate
on you. They are also quite slippery, so if you lift it, make sure to keep it
close to the ground, in case it attempts to bite you or if you are close to
dropping it.
Fortunately, a snapper raised in captivity may become docile and show
preference to its owner of handler.
The Alligator Snapping Turtle
The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is the largest
freshwater turtle that can be found in North America. It is less aggressive than
the common snapping turtle.
Alligator snapping turtles are hard to keep as pets because of the size and
weight they can reach, and the specific requirements they will need. Although
they are not as prone to biting as the common snapping turtle, the alligator
snapping turtle can still deliver a bite than can sever fingers or toes.
It also has in its tongue an appendage shaped much like a worm. The turtle
uses this to catch fish. The turtle simply lies in the water without making any
movements, opens its mouth wide and uses the tongue shaped like a worm to lure
the fish. The snapper then closes its mouth quickly and eats its unsuspecting
victim.
Snapping turtles reach maturity at around 12 years. They mate yearly. The
female turtle makes a nest and lays 9-52 eggs two months later. The temperature
at which the eggs are incubated will determine the sex of the baby snapping
turtles.
A snapper turtle is endangered in some states and other parts of the world
because it is being hunted for its meat, shell, and skin. They are already
protected, but it would help if everyone would be vigilant of its
plight.
