Natural History: Chelydra serpentina (common snapping turtle)

     On our first Herpetology class field trip to Dixie Plantation, we were able to find and observe quite a few different herps in their natural habitat. In particular, I was fascinated by Chelydra serpentina, also known informally as the common snapping turtle. During the field trip, we made our way as a class to a swampy body of freshwater, removed a trap, and found this amazing reptile in the trap with some cool, cute yellow bellied slider turtles as well. Although the sliders were too cute, I couldn't stop looking at the size of the snapping turtles that were caught, compared to the sliders. The snapping turtles were much bigger, and also appeared rougher in terms of their shell, and even their facial features (ex: beak) appeared sharper and more intimidating. The sliders appeared to have a more friendly appearance with a more rounded beak and face, and a nice yellow pattern on their skin and bottom of their shell, while the snapping turtles were a darker black/brown color with no other visible colors, and had a pointy beak. The snapping turtles also had larger heads, and their heads and necks were highly moveable. This was apparent as we removed the turtles from the traps, and the snapping turtles became defensive and started turning their heads towards us to make sure they kept us in sight.
   Chelydra serpentina is a big, freshwater turtle that can be found locally in South Carolina. It belongs to the order Testudines and the family Chelydridae. They are characterized by their strong, pointy, powerful beaks (be advised to not touch), defensive and combative personality, and their ability to be feisty (they WILL hiss at you if provoked). Snapping turtle usually are harmless and keep to themselves by hiding underwater in sediment, unless they are provoked or feel threatened by another animal or human entering their habitat or getting close to them, although, they are mostly not dry social. Being freshwater reptiles, these snapping turtles can be found in shallow streams and ponds and maybe even brackish waters like estuaries. Having a powerful, strong beak, is beneficial to this turtle in terms of self defense, and also in terms of what it can eat. These turtles are omnivorous, meaning they can eat plants in their aquatic habitat and also aquatic invertebrates, fish, frogs, and smaller reptiles like snakes and other smaller turtles on occasion.
    According to the source cited below, these snapping turtles can live for up to 30 years in the wild, if they can make it as hatchlings. The female turtle finds a nesting ground on land where she deposits the eggs, and the eggs undergo an incubation phase. Their eggs could potentially be eaten by birds and mammals, but if they make it past this stage, they must also make it past the hatchling stage to be in their safest zone. The source suggests that the most vulnerable life stage for these turtles is when they are hatchlings, and we can infer this because they are still at a small size and can be subjected to larger predators. Once they get a bit bigger, there are fewer predators that they are at risk of being hunted by, and have a higher chance of making it to adult stage where they can then reproduce and the whole cycle starts again. Unfortunately, some get hit by cars as they are looking for new nesting sites or a new habitat, but the good news is that, according to this source, these turtles are not even close to being endangered, extinct, or threatened.
    According to the source, these turtles have a tail that is almost as long as the shell, their extremities are largely exposed from their shell, and they are characterized by having saw-toothed keels on their tail. In terms of behavior, there is much aggressive interaction between males, and from our studies, we can attribute that to them being territorial, and also looking for mates. Also, aggression may be attributed to food availability, and whether or not the turtle was provoked. When the turtles were removed from the trap, I observed a turtle aggressively hissing at us and following us as we tried to lead it back to the pond. I wouldn't attempt to touch them of course, but I managed to get some close photos of them.  They were so feisty we had to use a hook and logs to push them back to their habitat. Also, I noticed that there were aquatic plants on the carapace of the turtles, which implied that they may have been hiding underwater in some sediment. Ultimately, I was fascinated by their really long nails, their pointy beaks, large size, and aggressive behavior when compared to the more docile, friendly yellow bellied sliders. Chelydra serpentina are some tough fellows.


Sources:

Bosch, A. 2003. "Chelydra serpentina" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 12, 2018 at http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Chelydra_serpentina/