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Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Description:

• 20 - 40 cm, largest turtle in Ontario
• carapace is dark brown to black, plastron is yellow to tan
• long tail with a row of large scales
• massive head with powerful, hooked jaw

Habitat:

• lakes and permanent ponds, preferably with a muddy bottom

Conservation concerns, distribution and status:

• common and widespread in southern and central Ontario

Potential climatic domain map

(2441 observations in ONHIC database; 1238 observations used in analysis)