Identification

Fifty-one species of land turtles separated into 6 families reside in the US. Only turtles from the Emydidae (pond turtles), Trionychidae (softshell turtles), Kinosternidae (mud turtles), and Chelydridae (snapping turtles) families have significance for nuisance complaints. Within these families, most species cause no conflicts with humans.

Physical Description

The common snapping turtle (hereafter referred to as snapping turtle), like most turtles, has four legs that can be drawn into a protective shell. Snapping turtles have a rough upper shell with a saw-toothed edge along the rear end of the shell. The bottom shell is cross-shaped. Its shell is easily distinguished from the spiked shell characteristic of the alligator snapping turtle. Snapping turtles can range in weight from 10 to 35 pounds. Their shells range in length from 8 to 18½ inches. The necks, legs, and tails of snapping turtles have a yellowish color but their head is dark.