Snapping Turtle
The Snapping Turtle is sometimes aggressive and is named for its habit of snapping at an enemy. They have strong jaws. There is a row of bony protruding plates along the upper edge of the snapper's tail and a series of sawtooth-like projections along the rear margin of the upper shell. The feet are webbed. Common Snapping Turtles can grow to shell lengths of as much as 17 to 18 inches, although most adult will average a shell length of around 10 to 12 inches.

Snappers prefer slow-moving water with a muddy bottom and plenty of vegetation. During the day, they bury themselves into the bottom mud or sand, and wait for prey to swim by. At night, they are more active, foraging and pursuing their food.

They are mainly bottom dwellers but may be seen basking on logs in the water. Snapping Turtles may be seen on land primarily in late spring and early summer when the females leave the water to lay their eggs. They are often seen crossing roads as they seek suitable nesting sites.

The Common Snapping Turtle diet includes aquatic plants, fish, frogs and tadpoles, insects, snails, leeches, worms, snakes, small mammals, and baby ducks. They will also eat dead animals.

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Wapanocca Nature Drive
Located off H 42 at Turrell
Crittenden County, Ar

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