Snapping Turtle (AKA Snapper) is named for attacking anything that comes within the range of Her powerful jaws, including baby Alligators. Powerfully built, Snapper has strong claws and a hooked beak so sharp that She can bite through a broom handle. Snapper preys on almost anything She can catch and overpower in the water. Because of these attributes, people have come to believe that Snapping Turtle is extremely aggressive. However, She is not, preferring instead to prowl about in her pond.
Snapper spend most of her time underwater, lying at the bottom of shallow ponds. The only time She leaves the water is when Snapping Turtle is looking for a mate or traveling to another pond. When confronted on land, She can become extremely aggressive. Feeling threatened, She will raise Herself up and lunge fiercely at the intruder. When a person encounters Snapper, they should respect Her since they are in her territory.
Snapper is a particularly hardy Turtle. She lives in eastern North America in the colder regions as well as in the warmer areas. Sometimes during warm days in January, She will emerge from icy ponds to bask. While many other aquatic Turtles are endangered, Snapping Turtle just keeps on going.
Learn from Snapping Turtle lessons of being well, durability, and hardiness. Just do not learn lessons on how to be overaggressive.
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Photo of Snapping Turtle courtesy of U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Va. Carper
September 5, 2005