Be careful if you ever try to approach a common snapping turtle. They are usually calm creatures in the water, but can strike you if they’re captured out of their habitat. These turtles are large, weighing up to 35 pounds. They have long tails, rough shells, and can range from tan to nearly black color.
“These large, prehistoric-looking creatures lurk quietly and wait for prey to pass by before striking out with their shockingly long necks. Their craggy shells are a magnet for algae growth, which helps them camouflage against the muck. Small fish beware of these moving islands,” writes Kelsey Low of Houston Arboretum.
You can usually find common snapping turtles in the water, but some do travel long distances across land. These turtles thrive in slow-moving bodies of water with a soft muddy or sandy bottom. They also enjoy a wide range of food including spiders, frogs, small turtles, birds, and snakes. Besides Houston, you’ll find these interesting turtles across the eastern United States stretching all the way to southern Canada.
