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Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

SWCD Branded Separator
Common snapping turtle. Photo Credit: ODFW

Also known as: Eastern snapping turtle, snapping turtle, snapper

Common snapping turtles look like dinosaurs. Their thick heads, powerful jaws, and long armored tails harken memories of Jurassic Park. These prehistoric-looking creatures pose a threat to people and aquatic habitats throughout Oregon.

Description:

Early Detection and Rapid Response species:Yes
General Description:Common snapping turtles are large freshwater turtles. Their top shell (carapace) varies from green and brown to black. Their legs are thick and their tails are nearly as long as the shell. Males are larger than females.
Distinguishing Features:The top of their tails is lined with triangular plates giving it a saw-toothed appearance. Their shells have a serratedSerrated Having a jagged edge. edge. They also have large, powerful jaws.
Size:Adults weigh up to 45 pounds and grow up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) long.
Life Cycle:Common snapping turtles live up to 40 years.

Each turtle can lay up to 40 eggs during the spring and summer. Female turtles dig a shallow bowl-shaped nest to lay their eggs and cover them before returning to the nearest waterbody.

Habitat:

  • Snapping turtles prefer areas with calm, warm freshwater including creeks, rivers, ponds, and lakes.
  • They spend most of the time underwater, lying on the bottom of the waterbody. They rarely leave their aquatic habitat except during the breeding season, when females search for place to dig a nest.

Impact:

  • Common snapping turtles prey on native fish and wildlife including native turtles. They also compete with native turtles for food, habitat, nesting, and basking sites.
  • They also transmit parasites and diseases to native turtles.
  • They are known for their combative disposition, especially during breeding season. Their large, powerful jaws pose a safety risk to humans and pets.

What you we’re doing about it:

  • Common snapping turtles are a priority species for the Tualatin SWCD and our partners. As such, our Invasive Species Program is actively monitoring and trapping them throughout the watershed.
  • If identified within Washington County, a specially trained crew can come out and collect the turtle for you.

What you can do about it:

  • If you think you’ve found a common snapping turtle, please report it to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline.
  • If you encounter a snapping turtle on land, it is best to keep away from it until it has finished laying its eggs and leaves the area.
  • If you or someone you know has an unwanted aquarium pet, contact the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife at 503-947-6301 or email.

Look-alikes:

Northwestern pond turtle basking
Northwestern pond turtle. Photo credit: Keith Kohl, ODFW

From a distance the common snapping turtles looks like the native northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata). Both have similarly colored shells. Northwestern pond turtles are smaller than snapping turtles and their tails are not lined with triangular plates.

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