How Big Do Snapping Turtle Get
Whenever turtles come up in a conversation, one question inevitably arises: how big do snapping turtles get? Do these living fossils really come in larger sizes than most people imagine?
Indeed, snapping turtles can grow quite large. The common snapping turtle can reach sizes of up to 18 inches shell length and a weight of 45 pounds. However, sightings of alligator snapping turtles, the larger cousin, with its shell length exceeding 26 inches and weighing up to 220 pounds highlight the enormity of their size.
Let’s dive deeper into the world of these fascinating creatures and explore the factors that influence their size and growth.
Digging Into the World of Snapping Turtles
Snapping turtles are one of the most fascinating inhabitants of the animal kingdom. With contrasting reputations of being both notorious and captivating, these creatures serve as essential contributors to their ecosystems. Understanding their physical characteristics, particularly their size, can give us a more substantial perception of these remarkable species.
The size of a snapping turtle significantly depends on its species. Generally, there are two species of snapping turtles: The Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). Both are native to the Americas, but they have distinct size profiles.
Starting with the Common Snapping Turtle, adults usually measure between 9.8 and 14.2 inches in shell length and can weigh between 10 and 35 pounds. However, exceptionally large individuals have been known to exceed these measurements. For instance, a notable record mentions a specimen from Kansas that weighed an impressive 75 pounds!
When it comes to the Alligator Snapping Turtle, this species is considered the heavyweight among all freshwater turtles. In fact, it’s not uncommon for adult males to tip the scales at a staggering 175 pounds! And it doesn’t stop there. The largest Alligator Snapping Turtle ever recorded measured around 30.3 inches in shell length and weighed a whopping 236 pounds – nearing the weight of an adult human.
As shown, snapping turtles are indeed sizable creatures. Their size helps them play their role in nature’s food chain, as they prey on a variety of organisms and, in turn, serve as a food source for other creatures. In addition, their large dimensions contribute to the aura of mystery and fascination that surrounds them, making exploring the world of snapping turtles a truly riveting experience.
A General Look at the Snapping Turtle Species
Snapping turtles are fascinating creatures divided primarily into two species: the Common Snapping Turtles and the Alligator Snapping Turtles. These two variants may look similar to the untrained eye, but they exhibit substantial differences in size, behavior, and habitat.
Common Snapping Turtles Versus Alligator Snapping Turtles
Common Snapping Turtles, scientifically known as Chelydra serpentina, can reach an adult shell length of 8 to 18 inches, and they typically weigh between 10 to 35 pounds. Although larger specimens have been documented, they are considered exceptions rather than the norm.
On the other side of the scale, we have the Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii). They are considerably larger compared to their common counterparts. A fully grown Alligator Snapping Turtle can reach shell lengths of up to 26 inches and can weigh as much as 175 pounds, making them one of the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world.
The Distinctive Features of Snapping Turtles
Aside from their difference in sizes, there are several distinctive features that differentiate these two species. Common Snapping Turtles have a more streamlined shell, a head with a beak-like snout, and long, agile limbs. Their shells are typically brown or black, and their skin coloration, which is generally dark, may have patches of algae to help them blend into their marshy surroundings.
Alligator Snapping Turtles, in contrast, possess a spiked, heavy shell, and a large, thick head. This species boasts three ridge lines running along the length of their shell, giving them a more ancient and formidable look. Their skin is darker and often covered with algae, lending them an effective camouflage in their aquatic environments. Furthermore, these gigantic turtles have a unique lure-looking appendage on their tongue, which they wiggle to attract prey.
Fascinating Facts About Snapping Turtles
Snapping turtles are an intriguing species with a range of unique behavior traits. Belonging to the Chelydridae family, there are two primary types: the common snapping turtle and the alligator snapping turtle. Both species are fascinating in their behavior and physiology.
The common snapping turtle is well-adapted to an aquatic lifestyle and can be quite aggressive when threatened or provoked. Unlike public perception of the stereotypical slow-moving turtle, these creatures are remarkably swift both on land and in water. Their strong jaws can snap tightly and quickly, hence their name. Snapping turtles rarely use this fierce bite in water; instead, they prefer to escape potential threats. Conversely, they can bite quite aggressively when facing dangers on land, as they can’t retreat into their shell like other turtles do.
Alligator snapping turtles, in comparison, exploit a unique method of hunting through a process known as lingual luring. Utilizing their worm-like pink tongue, they lure prey directly into their wide-open jaws. Once the prey is lured sufficiently close, they snap their jaws shut with astonishing speed, capturing their prey effectively.
The Fascinating Lifespan of a Snapping Turtle
Turning our focus now to the snapping turtle’s lifespan, these animals have one of the most extensive lifespan in the turtle family. In the wild, common snapping turtles often live for 30 to 40 years, while in captivity, they have been known to live up to 50 years with good care.
Alligator snapping turtles, on the other hand, tend to have even longer lives. They can live for 70 to 80 years on average in the wild, and there are documented instances of these turtles living over 100 years. Interestingly, these turtles continue to grow slowly throughout their lives, contributing to their large size.
As for their size, this is yet another fascinating aspect of snapping turtles. The common snapping turtle can reach sizes of up to 20 inches in shell length and weigh around 35 pounds. The alligator snapping turtle is even larger, often reaching shell lengths of 26 inches and weights exceeding 200 pounds in some cases. In fact, the largest alligator snapping turtle ever recorded weighed a whopping 250 pounds. Their size, along with their unique behavior traits and extraordinary lifespan, make the snapping turtles truly remarkable species.
How Big Do Snapping Turtles Get?
Ever wonder about the predicament “How Big Do Snapping Turtles Get?” This curious query can yield surprising answers that can really highlight the fascinating evolution of these creatures from tiny hatchlings to large adults.
The Size Range: From Hatchlings to Adults
Snapping turtles embark on their journey in life as minuscule hatchlings. During this early stage, these reptiles are tiny and barely noticeable. They typically measure a mere 1 to 1.5 inches in shell length when they first emerge from their eggs. Despite their small size, hatchlings are capable of fending for themselves and venture into their aquatic surroundings shortly after hatching.
Snapping Turtle Hatchlings: Start Small, Grow Big
As snapping turtles grow, they gain size quite rapidly. By the end of their first year, young snapping turtles can reach up to 4-6 inches in length. The physical dimension they attain is influenced by several factors, including diet and habitat.
Different Sizes for Different Ages
The size of a snapping turtle is closely related to its age. During the initial five to seven years of their life, they grow fairly quickly. After reaching maturity, which tends to occur between 15 and 20 years of age, their growth rate significantly slows. Adult common snapping turtles typically range between 8-14 inches in upper shell (carapace) length. The record size of snapping turtles is around 20 inches and can weigh up to 35 lbs!
Size Comparison for Male and Female Snapping Turtles
When discussing snapping turtles, sexual dimorphism, or two sexes displaying different physical traits, is common. While there is minimal difference in length between male and female snapping turtles, males tend to have a bulkier build and weight more. Usually, the shell size of males can reach up to 14 inches, while females typically have a shell size of around 10 inches.
Factors Influencing the Size of Snapping Turtles
The size of snapping turtles can vary greatly and can be influenced by a variety of factors such as genetic potential, environment, and diet. The effects of these factors contribute to the overall size of a snapping turtle at maturity.
Genetic Factors and Size Potential
As with many other species, the genetics of a snapping turtle plays a large role in determining its size potential. This means that the size of the parents can often give an indication of the size that their offspring will grow to. This is not an exact science, however, and other factors such as diet and environment can influence this potential size.
Living Conditions: Wild vs. In Captivity
Wild Snapping Turtles: Survival and Growth
In the wild, snapping turtles must contend with a variety of survival challenges that can have an impact on their size. Food scarcity, temperature variations, and the presence of predators can all limit the growth of a snapping turtle. Despite these challenges, some wild snapping turtles have been documented to reach sizes of up to 35 pounds for the common snapping turtle and up to 86 pounds for the alligator snapping turtle.
Snapping Turtles in Captivity: An Accelerated Growth?
When snapping turtles are kept in captivity, many of the survival challenges they face in the wild are eliminated. As a result, they can sometimes grow to larger sizes. A steady supply of food, a regulated environment, and a lack of predators can all contribute to accelerated growth. In fact, the largest recorded snapping turtle ever found was an alligator snapping turtle in captivity that weighed a whopping 249 pounds.
Diet’s Impact on Snapping Turtle Size
The diet of a snapping turtle can also greatly affect its growth and size. In the wild, snapping turtles are opportunistic feeders, eating a variety of plants and small animals. In captivity, they are often fed a high protein diet, which can contribute to accelerated growth. However, it’s worth noting that overfeeding can lead to obesity in snapping turtles, which can cause health problems and potentially shorten their lifespan.
Record Breaking Snapping Turtles
When it comes to snapping turtles, these creatures can grow to be impressively large. Their size, in fact, is nothing to sneeze at. However, an average adult snapping turtle usually weighs within the range of 10 to 35 pounds and reaches about 30 to 48 cm in carapace length (that’s the length of their upper shell, for those who don’t speak ‘turtle’).
Now, onto some record-breaking examples. One of the largest snapping turtles ever recorded was found in Kansas in 1937. It was an Alligator Snapping Turtle that weighed a staggering 183 pounds. If that doesn’t impress you, we don’t know what else will!
That’s not the only case, though. In 1999, a snapping turtle weighing 236 pounds was discovered in Illinois. This massive creature is considered the heaviest freshwater turtle ever recorded. The size of this turtle is enough to make anyone double-take!
The world record holder for the largest Alligator Snapping Turtle ever captured was caught in the Neosho River in Oklahoma in 2004. It weighed an astounding 249 pounds! This record-breaking snapping turtle measured more than 2.5 feet in shell length and had a tail that was nearly as long as its shell. The size of this snapping turtle is a clear testament to just how big these fascinating reptiles can get.
Surprisingly, there are many undocumented cases of giant snapping turtles discovered all over the United States, with some even suggesting weights of up to 400 pounds. However, without formal documentation or photographic evidence, these records remain unofficial.
Now you have an idea of how big snapping turtles can get! Imagine encountering such a colossal creature in the wild. It’s fascinating to think about how such large turtles can exist, isn’t it?
Common Myths and Misconceptions
There are a lot of misconceptions and myths when it comes to the size of a snapping turtle. Visions of monstrous, dinosaur-like snapping turtles linger in the secondhand stories, whispers, and nightmares of many people. But how valid are these fears of giant snapping turtles?
Firstly, let’s establish some facts about snapping turtle sizes. The common snapping turtle, which is native to North America, typically grows to around 10 to 12 inches in straight carapace length (this means the length of the shell without including the head and neck). It usually weighs between 15 to 30 pounds. On the extreme high end, there have been sightings of these species that catch even nature experts by surprise – the largest recorded common snapping turtle was found to weigh a whopping 85 pounds!
When we move our attention to the Alligator Snapping Turtle found mostly in the southeastern United States, the size speculations grow larger. This species is indeed the heavy-weight champion among the freshwater turtles, with adults often surpassing 100 pounds. The Guinness World Records have recorded the largest Alligator Snapping Turtle to weigh a stunning 236 pounds!
However, sightings of these giant Alligator Snapping Turtles are rare and not the norm. Most adult Alligator Snapping Turtles average between 15 to 60 pounds. Hence, the commonly encountered snapping turtles are not as terrifyingly gargantuan as the myths would have you believe.
It is understandable, though, why these myths perpetuate. Snapping turtles have an unusually prehistoric appearance, with their large heads, long tails, and jagged shells. Their reclusive nature and infrequent appearances add to the sense of mystery and exaggeration surrounding their size. But as we’ve seen, the truth is generally less monstrous!
Living Safely Alongside These Amazing Creatures
Living alongside snapping turtles can be an extraordinary experience, considering their unique characteristics and fascinating size. While it’s true that they can grow to significant dimensions, it’s important to remember they are usually quite harmless unless provoked or disturbed.
Truth be told, the size of a snapping turtle can vary, primarily depending on the specific species. There are two common types – the Common Snapping Turtle and the Alligator Snapping Turtle. The Common Snapping Turtle grow up to 35-45cm (approximately 14-18 inches) in carapace length – that’s about the length of a violin! They typically weigh anywhere from 4.5 to 16 kilograms, with some bigger specimens tipping the scales around 34kg. The Alligator Snapping Turtle, on the other hand, is much larger, with some individuals reaching up to 80-90 kg in weight and 26- 36 inches in carapace length. Specifically, female snapping turtles are often larger than males, with the ability to store more eggs in their bodies. When it comes to snapping turtle offspring behaviors, they are known to be quite independent from birth, instinctively knowing how to fend for themselves and hunt for food.
On the other hand, the Alligator Snapping Turtle is considered to be the heaviest freshwater turtle in the world. Males have been known to weigh in at astonishing 100kg (around 220 pounds) with a carapace length of up to 80cm (roughly 31 inches). That’s comparable to a medium-sized dog!
Remember, while their significant size does make them intriguing creatures to observe, it’s essential to respect their space. Failure to do so can result in them snapping as a defense mechanism. Ironically, this is how they got their name. Despite this, they play an essential role in our ecosystem, particularly in maintaining healthy waters by controlling populations of certain pests.
Always remember, living harmoniously with these fascinating creatures involves giving them the space and peace they need. While their size may appear intimidating, they are an interesting and important part of our natural world.
Resources
- https://srelherp.uga.edu/turtles/cheser.htm
- https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Common-Snapping-Turtle
- https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/reptiles/turtle/snapping-turtle.html
