The Common Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Snapping turtles are some of the largest freshwater turtles in the Northeast and play an important ecological role as both predators and scavengers. They help keep aquatic ecosystems healthy by feeding on fish, amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, carrion, and even excess vegetation.

A few fun facts:

🔹 They can live for 30-50+ years in the wild.
🔹 Their powerful jaws can deliver a serious bite.
🔹 Despite their reputation, they generally prefer to avoid conflict and will usually retreat into the water when given the chance.
🔹 Females often travel surprising distances from water to lay their eggs, which is why they’re commonly seen crossing roads this time of year.

⚠️ PLEASE DO NOT HANDLE SNAPPING TURTLES. ⚠️

If you encounter one crossing a road, the safest option is to encourage it to continue moving in the direction it was already headed while maintaining a safe distance. Never pick one up by the tail, and never attempt to handle one unless you have proper training and experience.