Common Snapper vs Alligator Snapper

John took this photo of a snapping turtle at Peebles Island State Park, not far from his home in Troy, NY, US.

There are four distinct species of Chelydra (snapping turtles). The Northern common snapper, the Florida snapper, the Mexican snapper, and the Ecuadorian snapper. But wait, you say, what about the alligator snapping turtle? Ah, let us explore that question.


















The alligator snapping turtle doesn't belong to the the family of Chelydridae--they belong to the Macroclemys family. The snapper above is the Northern common snapper (Chelydra serpentina serpentina), the snapper you're most likely to encounter in the US. Here's a photo so you can tell the difference (common on the left, alligator on the right):



















The alligator snapper (Macroclemys temmincki) has a ridged shell, much more of a beak, and they are the only ones with that worm-shaped lure of a tongue. You see, common snappers dine on carrion (one site even says that some police departments use their carrion-sniffing skills to find corpses, but I need corroboration). But the alligator snapper uses its tongue to lure live fish into its beak.

We've got something of a 'Frodo Conundrum' going on here. The alligator snapper seems fouler (in appearance), but has a diet many humans would be fine with. The common snapper seems fairer, but eats decaying flesh. Frodo decided Aragorn was a good guy because he thought the Enemy would employ someone who looked fairer but seemed fouler. Does this mean he would choose the alligator snapper? Though, Frodo didn't factor in Aragorn's diet when he decided to leave with him...

...wow. I apologize for that geek tangent. I'll sign off now.

Thanks for the snapper, John.

Ugly Encounters

Silena emailed me to highlight some of the differences (such as weight and neck length) between the alligator snapping turtle and the common snapping turtle. And she should know - check out this beast she encountered near her house a couple of years back.

The turtle had come up to lay eggs and got tired enough in the process to rest by the roadside and let Silena take some photos.

Now I'm wondering where that egg nest is. I could use a few guard snapping turtles around my yard to keep bandits away.

Snapping Turtle Handling

Snapping turtles never look happy, but this one looks grumpier than normal (I would be too, if I were hauled around like this). But check out that tongue--the night crawler looking thing. That's what it wiggles while it lies in wait at the bottom of ponds and streams. Any fish who ventures too close for a nibble get nibbled itself.

Here's a tip to those of you who find yourself in the position of having to move one of these creatures: don't pick them up by their tails--you'll hurt them. Don't grab them by their shells (unless you are experienced at so doing)--they'll hurt you. Instead, use a shovel to scoop them up and deposit them elsewhere.

Stay tuned for your next installment of Snapping Turtle Handling Thursday.

Thanks for the photo, Mary.

Turtle Cuddling

I'm in turtle mode today, ever since I got word this morning that our Russian tortoise escaped his enclosure, and then our backyard, only to be picked up by an early morning jogger just as the tortoise was about to climb out onto the street. Jack the Tortoise has been returned to us in one piece, much to my daughters' delight, but that was too close for comfort. So, just a reminder: make sure you've got the proper set up for your pets, whatever they may be. And don't underestimate the agility and ingenuity of a tortoise.

Back to uglies...

...and turtles.

Turtles, which will come as no surprise to anyone accustomed to the sight of red-eared sliders hanging out with each other while basking on a log, enjoy each other's company (for the most part). Touch plays a role in turtle happiness. That truth can play itself out across species boundaries sometimes, too.

Here we have a terrapin fulfilling the role of a basking rock for a juvenile snapping turtle. See? Fuzzy animals don't have a monopoly on cuddling. Wait, this has stumbled across the border from ugly to cute. Sorry about that. Maybe it's this need I'm feeling right now to go home and snuggle with my tortoise. But then I'd have to change my clothes after Jack squirted me with his wonderful blend of feces and urea. Never mind. Cuddly feelings gone.

Thanks for the photo, Morgan.

Snapping Turtles Are More Exciting Than Weeds

Roderick encountered this snapping turtle in his driveway. I must admit that I am jealous. My driveway encounters are limited to trash from my neighbor's yard and some weeds I haven't sprayed yet. Snapping turtles are much more exciting than weeds.

I guess this scenario begs the question: what did you do next? Did you leave it be and wear work boots from then on? Did you haul it off to the nearest creek? Or, like I would have done, did you cower in a corner until it ambled off your property?

Thanks for documenting your run-in with this beast, Roderick.

Temminckii

Behold the armored head of North America's largest turtle. The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) weighs in on average at 100 kg (220 lbs). But back in 1937 a 403 lbs turtle was reportedly found in the Neosho River in Kansas.

This snapper gets its Latin name from Coenraad Jacob Temminck, a Dutch zoologist. Being able to stick my name to the likes of this monster would have been the greatest accomplishment of my professional life. As for me, well, I'll have to settle for all the docs and spreadsheets that have me listed as the 'author'.

Photo source: Ezra Freeman

Snappy fellow keeping his chin up

Came across this beauty while searching for a gruesome photo for my other blog and finding that searching for alligator and turtle naturally gets you a lot of photos of alligator snapping turtles.

We've seen this species before, of course, but not this particular interesting angle. Perhaps that's because this is normally not the smartest place to be with respect to a snapping turtle, but fortunately, this guy is safely behind glass at the National Zoo.

Not tapping on the glass, and advising that you do the same,
-Wombat (No Relation)

Photo by Brian Gratwicke on Flickr.

Turtle Wisdom

Now this is a snapping turtle in all her glory (even if in captivity). I've heard stories about people getting digits chomped off by these reptiles, and now I believe.

Snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles. Their shells aren't big enough to retreat into for protection, so she relies on her long neck and strong jaws to protect herself. But, usually, she'll choose discretion and just slink away silently if she's approached. There is wisdom in this - wisdom that I want to instill in my daughters. I'll have to find a suitable shell for them, though.

Photo source: Tim Curtis

On the Road

Carl found this snapping turtle on the side of the road. I'll admit that the turtle has a certain charm about him, so I wonder what drove him from his watery home. Perhaps he was on a journey of self discovery.

More than likely, though, he was on some ugly duckling adventure. Having been ostracized by all the pretty red-eared slider turtles, he was out to find his own pond to lurk in. Unlike misery, ugly doesn't always like company.

Thanks for the photo, Carl.

Charming Diminutiveness

Oh, little baby alligator snapping turtle. So charming in your diminutiveness , so endearing in your tinyhood. You'll grow to be massive. You'll wriggle you lure tongue and snap up fish. You'll be the dread of some pond or stream. In time, you'll even be able to snap off those fingers that are holding you. So much to look forward to.

Photo credit: Stephanie Velzy

Designer Model

I never knew that a snapping turtle's plastron was so minimal. I looks more like an after thought than an actual attempt at armor, kind of a designer model. I might get one myself.

Photo source: Knuttz

Ominous & Lurking

This snapping turtle is a staple at the Atlanta Zoo reptile house. This is the most ominous, lurking, photo of one of these I have ever seen. Who would have thought turtles could be so sinister?

Awesome photo, Dana.

Snapper

Turtles aren't known for being attractive animals - few reptiles are. The snapping turtle, though, takes the ugly cake. Not only are they aggressive when cornered, but they also secrete an odorous substance from their sides. This is one of those times when ugly is much more than skin deep.

Photo courtesy: True Bavarian.

New Discovery

I thought I had catalogued the majority of the world's ugly turtles with the matamata and snapping turtles (with the occasional giant tortoise). Wes, however, has proven me wrong with his photo of the Florida Softshell turtle. These guys are far more aggressive and ill-tempered than their better-protected cousins - they have to compensate.

With the softshell I have made a discovery that will no doubt rock the science world: the ugliest of turtles are aquatic (matamata, snapping, softshell). Nobel please?