Two dead common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) found on March 12, 2010 around 14:00 at the Indian Creek Preserve in Reily, Ohio in the research pond of Tammy McPeek. The pond is roughly 30 m in diameter and is permanent to semi-permanent. It held water this winter.
C. serpentina is a common, omnivorous turtle that can make a habitat out of almost any permanent fresh body. They do not often venture to land to bask, instead spend most of their time buried in the mud. This species is easily identified, as it's small, spiny plastron and large head are menacing, accompanied by large and long claws. In water they will generally hide as a defense, on land they are more prone to attack. (Source: Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, 3rd ed, 1998).
The first specimen found (pictured) was roughly 10 inches, head to vent and it's estimated weight was around 15 lbs. It was covered with several snails and a leech, look and smelled as if it had been dead for at least a few days maybe longer, since cold temperatures would have slowed decomp rate. Snapping turtles overwinter at the bottom of ponds, where there is always a risk of anoxia. This is the hypothesized cause of death.
The second specimen found was larger, over a foot from head to vent, and weighed noticeably more. This one also appeared to have been dead for at least a few days, possibly longer.
(Posted by Tyler Eaton, photo by Michelle D. Boone)
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