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Project Noah Nature School
Chelydra serpentina
These are large, powerfully-built, and aggressive turtles. In young (shown) the carapace is ridged, but adults lose some of those ridges as they age. The carapace be 50 cm (20 in) long in large adults and they may weigh as much as 16 kg (35 lb), although most are smaller. Their jaws are powerful and they will lash out and bite if provoked.
Wetlands, lakes and rivers.
I found this very young turtle next to the Minnesota River as it was crossing a foot path.
Spotted on Sep 26, 2009
Submitted on Feb 18, 2012
3 Comments
I was once wading in the Wisconsin River when I felt something bump my leg. It was a snapping turtle. Nothing bad happened and I think for the most part if you leave them alone they'll leave you alone. But I also remember a big snapping turtle snapping a 1 inch hardware dowel that my Dad put down beside it. It was an impressive lesson to leave these turtles alone.
It will only be dangerous if you mess with it. I'm kind of the same way. :-)
This is an awesome picture! So cute. Imagine what it will look like when it's bigger though. Crazy.