Species of the Month

These species have been featured in our FYI newsletter as "species of the month."

• Brook Lampreys
• Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
• Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
• Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
• Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata)
• Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis fontinalis)
• Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica)
• Smooth Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Although still regularly seen in the wild, the snapping turtle is at great risk of large scale decline due to its late breeding age (15 to 20 years before maturity is reached), low survival of eggs and young, habitat loss, and frequent human-caused persecution of adults. Because of these threats, the snapping turtle was recently listed as a Species of Special Concern by COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) and is now protected.

Unfortunately for the snapping turtle, its appearance, size and defensive tendencies on land have caused some to fear it. However, this turtle is a very important component of local waterways, serving as both predator and prey. Snapping turtle eggs and juveniles provide food for a number of bird and mammal species, and juveniles and adult snapping turtles help keep wetlands clean by consuming dead or dying prey.
In the Thames River watershed, snapping turtles are part of a unique life system, one we must maintain in order to have balance. We can better appreciate and protect our natural world through respect and understanding of local species, such as the snapping turtle.

A mature snapping turtle

Description

• Shell length 20 - 50 cm (8 - 20”).

• Broad, slightly domed upper shell with prominent serrated rear edge. Shell colour ranges from light brown to black, often obscured by algae. The small lower shell is cream to yellow in adults, and black to cream with a grey pattern in juveniles.

• The skin is grey, brown or black and the large head may be well-patterned with brown and black in some individuals. The adult snapper’s long tail is adorned with triangular projections.

• Snapping turtles are not well protected by their small lower shell. On land they display defensive behaviours, often attempting to bite in self-defense. In water, this species prefers to retreat to deeper areas or bury in mud when disturbed.

• The snapping turtle lays 15 to 60, round, firm-shelled, white eggs in June or July in open or sparsely vegetated sites. The eggs hatch in 50 to 90 days.

Snapping turtles, while mostly aquatic, can be found in the spring and summer moving across roads, yards and gardens in search of other wetlands or nesting sites. If found along a roadway and it is safe to do so, try to help the turtle across; its life may depend on it.

Snapping turtles may attempt to bite out of fear, but this is simply a way of scaring the predator (us) and then moving away as quickly as a turtle can. Apart from their snapping motion, their body movements are generally slow and cumbersome. By positioning yourself behind the turtle, and grasping the rear of the shell or base of the tail, you can gently drag the turtle across the road. If you must fully pick the turtle up, grab the base of the tail and also brace its weight by sliding your other hand underneath, on the lower shell, to lift. As long as you are behind the turtle it can not bite you. An alternative is to use a stick or shovel to gently push the turtle to a safe location, usually a wet area on the other side of the road.

Above: A juvenile snapping turtle

Right: The snapping turtle's small plastron (lower shell) does not provide much protection.

If a turtle lays eggs in your garden, count yourself lucky. By leaving the eggs alone, and clearing tall vegetation from around the nest, hopefully young snapping turtles will hatch out in the late summer and will head off to the nearest wetland or stream. Snapping turtles can live to great ages, so by helping a local turtle, you may be helping a part of local history as the turtle nesting in your garden could be over 70 years old.

For more information on this species, or other watershed reptiles, contact: , Species at Risk Biologist

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