Snapping Turtle

Written By: Highlands Biological Station | Issue: 2016/03 - March | Photograph By: Josef Uyeda

The snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North Carolina. It has a very large head, a long neck, and a long tail, which is saw-toothed along the top. The carapace (top of shell) is large and varies in color from black to light brown. The plastron (bottom of shell) is small and unhinged. Average length varies from 8 to 14 inches (20.3-36 cm) in carapace length, while weight ranges from 10 to slightly more than 50 lbs.