Common Snapping Turtles in Georgia

A pair of carnivorous snapping turtles are native to the fresh waterways of Georgia. These reptiles vary greatly in size, shape and ecological niche. Snapping turtles are naturally exclusive to North America, with a range from Canada to Mexico. Both of the stocky amphibious hunters live in Georgia. These animals kill prey with a crushing bite.

  1. Alligator Snapping Turtle

    • The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America, with adults weighing an average of 175 lbs., according to the "National Geographic" website. This turtle hunts by wiggling its wormlike tongue to lure fish and frogs to its powerful crushing beak. While these massive predators spend the majority of their lives submerged in water, females leave the safety of the marsh to lay their eggs. Though they have no natural predators, alligator snapping turtles are listed by conservationists as threatened because of the exotic pet trade.

    Common Snapping Turtle

    • Note the long, blunt claws of the common snapping turtle.

      Common snapping turtles are much smaller than the alligator species. This variety of turtle can be regularly found on riverbanks and shorelines. It is a standoffish species that will attack with a painful bite when it feels threatened on land. Common snappers eat small vertebrates, and supplement their diet with vegetation. As the smaller of the two species, common snapping turtles reach a weight of 30 to 40 lbs. Snapping turtles are calm animals in the water and are likely to swim away in fear of approaching people.

    Snapping Turtle Features

    • The two species of snapping turtle have many similar features, despite the large size disparity. Both turtles are unable to pull their entire bodies into their protective shells, and rely on a strong bite for self defense. They are visibly different from other turtles with their large beaks, long dinosaur-like tails, and elongated digging claws. Snapping turtles make for terrible pets due to their aquatic needs and the ability to sever fingers with a single bite, but some people still attempt to care for these dangerous reptiles. As hatchlings and until they are fully grown, snapping turtles are potential prey for many animals including herons and alligators.