What is the average weight of a snapping turtle

If you find a snapping turtle in your yard, treat it with the respect it deserves. Snapping turtles have powerful, sharp jaws. Keep children and pets away from the turtle until it has finished laying its eggs and has left the area. Countless turtles are killed or injured on roads during their terrestrial treks. The presence of a large turtle on a busy road can be a safety hazard for motorists. By driving defensively and keeping alert to conditions on the road, motorists should be able to avoid hitting a turtle.

Snapping turtles should never be picked up by their tails as this can damage the animal's vertebral column and tail, not to mention the human who is in danger of being bitten. Because snapping turtles can be slimy and heavy, the Wildlife Division does not recommend that anyone manually pick them up. Unlike most other turtles, snapping turtles rarely bask on land, but instead bask on the water's surface. They burrow into mud and leaf debris in shallow water or under logs and overhanging banks.

After emerging from hibernation, turtles begin feeding and searching for mates. Snapping turtles generally reach maturity at 8 to 10 years and can live up to 40 years or more. They typically occupy home ranges of 4 to 22 acres, depending on the size of the wetland. The DEEP Wildlife Division does not keep records of the largest or heaviest snapping turtles in the state as the agency recommends that these turtles not be handled.

In many areas of the United States and other parts of the world, people relish snapping turtle meat in soups and stews. However, these turtles can potentially concentrate environmental contaminates and toxic chemicals such as PCBs in their flesh and could pose a health concern if consumed in large quantities. Snapping turtles can be harvested in Connecticut.

Turtle eggs cannot be taken and turtle nests cannot be disturbed without DEEP authorization. The diet of the alligator snapping turtle is variable and may include fish, snakes, salamanders, crayfish, clams, mussels, mammals, plant roots, and birds. Nesting is thought to take place from April to June, with females laying from 9 to 44 eggs in a subterranean cavity not far from water. The eggs hatch approximately three months later. The alligator snapping turtle has been known to reach 70 years of age in captivity.

Little is known concerning the lifespan of wild turtles. Alligator snapping turtles spend almost their entire lives in water, normally venturing onto land only to lay eggs. During this process, turtles situate themselves in a dug-out depression, remaining motionless with mouth agape, wriggling the worm-like appendage. While these turtles are thought to be less aggressive than the common snapping turtle, the powerful bite of an alligator snapping turtle can be both painful and damaging to humans.

Juveniles may be consumed by fish, otters, or wading birds; and raccoons have been known to raid nests.

Common snapping turtles are omnivores, taking a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate prey, as well as aquatic vegetation. Conservation Status: The common snapping turtle is not protected and is considered locally abundant in Georgia. In some areas it is harvested for food.

Pertinent Reference: Ewert, Michael A. They have a large head and powerful beaklike jaw. Their eyes are on the side of their head, which is unique to snapping turtles. These ancient reptiles are found almost exclusively in the deep rivers, swamps, canals and lakes of the southeastern United States, including the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.

Alligator snapping turtles can remain underwater for up to 50 minutes before coming up for air.