Common snapping turtle (juvenile)

Description:

Chelydra serpentina have rugged, muscular builds with ridged carapaces (though ridges tend to be more pronounced in younger individuals). The carapace (upper shell) length in adulthood may be nearly 50 cm (20 in), though 25–47 cm (9.8–19 in), is more common. C. serpentina usually weighs 4.5–16 kg (9.9–35 lb). Any specimen above the aforementioned weights are exceptional, but the heaviest wild specimen caught reportedly weighed 34 kg (75 lb). Snapping turtles kept in captivity can be quite overweight due to overfeeding and have weighed as much as 39 kg (86 lb). In the north part of its range, the snapping turtle is often the heaviest native freshwater turtle. (information from Wikipedia)

Habitat:

Park pond

Notes:

This little guy was found on a service road at work, so it was scooped up and moved to the nearest body of water. Upon inspection, a co-worker noticed it had a very tiny crayfish attached to its skin between the right-front leg and the neck. You can see it in photos 4 and 5.