What Do Snapping Turtle Shelters Look Like?

Snapping turtles are highly aquatic, spending most of their time in the water, resting in shallows and buried in the mud. They often live near river banks in fresh and brackish waters with abundant vegetation. Snapping turtle shelters are made of mud and plants, including duckweed, cattail, yellow pond lily, common reeds, long-leaf pondweed, hydrilla, buttonbrush and arrow arum, among others.

  1. Geography

    • According to the National Audubon Society, snapping turtles habitats range from South Alberta to Nova Scotia in the north, and to the Gulf of Mexico in the south. In the warmer climates, snapping turtles will be active year-round whereas in colder climes they will hibernate during the winter.

    Water Shelter

    • During warmer weather, the snapping turtle will bury itself in the mud and cruise the shallows looking for food. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, snappers usually bask in the water, as opposed to other species of turtles that prefer sunny rocks or logs. In some cases and in some habitats, snapping turtles and painted turtles share shelters.

    Winter Shelter

    • Hibernation begins around mid-October, though not all snapping turtles hibernate. Usually winter shelters include muskrat burrows and mud. Large groups of snapping turtles sometimes hibernate together.

    Nests

    • Snapping turtle nests are dug out with the hind legs and made by the female. They are usually made in sand or sawdust. Once the eggs are laid in the cavity, they are covered over for protection. Nesting usually occurs between mid-May and mid-June, though the timing varies according to local climate.

    Warning

    • Snapping turtles are dangerous, especially when handled by those unfamiliar with the proper technique. They are particularly dangerous when out of water, according to the Audubon Society. They should be handled from the back of the shell, as they have long flexible necks and are capable of causing significant damage with their bites.