Turtles

Common Snapping Turtle

• 20.3-36 cm; record 49.4cm
• 4.5-16kg; record 32kg snapping turtle once lived at Toronto Zoo
• Carapace is light brown to black
• young turtles have three longitudinal keels; older turtles almost smooth
• Plastron is yellowish, small and cross-shaped; legs and skin not well protected
• Large head, two barbels on neck
• Head, limbs and tail are brown
• Tail is same length or longer than carapace with "dinosaur-like" triangular scales projecting from the upper side.
• Only aggressive when threatened on land
• Will swim away from danger and people when in the water
• Lays 20-40 round, ping-pong ball-like eggs
• SPECIAL CONCERN