Life, description and other facts about Snapping Turtles.

Essay by yankee842Elementary School, 4th grade November 2003

download word file, 3 pages 4.4 1 reviews

Downloaded 50 times

Snapping Turtles

Turtle Introduction

The common snapping turtle lives in North America from Nova Scotia, Canada, to Florida to all areas east of the Rocky Mountains. Common snapping turtles prefer to live in river and lake bottoms. Snapping turtles have a tan to black shell, strong jaws, sharp claws and a long heavily serrated tail.

Turtle Detection

Turtle shells are wonderful protection. When a turtle is afraid he pulls himself into his shell to hide from predators and humans. Turtles can detect danger close by. However some species of turtles are unable to hide completely in their shell and protect themselves in other ways. The snapping turtle defends itself with its strong jaws and sharp claws. Their shell can help them blend in with underwater plants.

A Freshwater Home For Five

Over 2/3 of all turtle species live in freshwater on six of the seven continents. More than five different species can live in the same stretch of a freshwater river.

Mud and musk turtles crawl among algae-covered rocks in shallow water. Common and alligator snapping turtles hide among fallen branches and tree roots near the shore. Painted and slender turtles live in the open water, basking on logs and rocks.

A Turtle Size Meal - And Their Diet

The alligator snapping turtle has a worm-like appendage on his tounge. He uses this to lure fish into his mouth. Turtles do not have teeth; they use their sharp jaws that have hard sharp edges that cut. Some turtles are Carnivorous meaning they eat mostly meat in their case fish. But not all turtles are Carnivorous; all land turtles are Herbivorous and eat mostly plants. Omnivorous like the box turtle eat fruits, vegetables, small worms, and other insects. The common snapping turtle is a scavenger and eats everything from aquatic plants...