Beware of the Turtle With the Long Tail

Turtles are often harmless little creatures seen crawling slowly across country roads with little awareness of their potential fate.

But be careful if you stop to help one cross and you see a spikey shell, beaked nose, and long tail -- snapping turtles aren't fond of being handled by humans. They might just think you're interested in making a pot of "turtle soup" in which snappers are the main ingredient.

Common snapping turtles, also referred to as "snappers," are native to our area, as well as throughout the mid-west and east coast.

They grow to be fairly large with shells as long as 20 inches and can weigh as much as 75 pounds, although the average weight is closer to 35 pounds. Lifespan ranges from 30 to 45 years depending on their habitat. Captive snappers tend to live longer than those in the wild.

These turtles are freshwater inhabitants and are considered omnivores, eating plant and animal matter as it becomes available to them. Their beak-like jaws are extremely powerful and are to be feared by their prey (and humans!). Their claws are also very sharp and can inflict injury.

Not only do they have a vicious bite, but unlike other turtles, they have an agile snake-like neck that can stretch and bend easily. One bite to the finger and you might just lose it!

Another distinct feature of snapping turtles is their pig-like nostrils. These act like snorkels and have developed to allow the turtles to rest at the bottom of ponds and other shallow bodies of water without leaving the water for air.

Although they live primarily in aquatic habitats, snappers do travel on land, so be sure to keep these characteristics in mind before getting to close to the next turtle you see -- in the wild or on the road!

Editor's Note: Nature Nook is a regular feature of Emmaus Patch in which we all learn a little something about a plant, animal, insect or woodland creature indigenous to our area.