There is always one in every family. No matter how affable the members and congenial the reputation, there is always one who is a chronic challenge to cope with in any situation.
It may be the odd uncle who always ruins family events with confrontational behavior, or a sibling whose passive-aggressive conduct calls the motive for any deed into question.
Even the appearance of the individual with the “unique personality” can set the tone for every encounter. Surprisingly, this is also true for such a passive and lethargic group of reptiles as native turtles.
In this family, the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is the dyspeptic member. It has a reputation for its belligerent disposition and antagonistic behavior when encountered out of the water.
This young snapping turtle is making its way in the wilds of north Florida. Lethal hazards lurk close by, but its guile and grit will offer it the best chance of survival to adulthood.
Its powerful jaw muscles combined with a sharp beak and a long neck topped with a highly mobile head create the appearance of turtle built for combat. The Latin term serpentine in its scientific name refers to its neck’s snake-like flexibility.
There are four species of Chelydra found only in North America. They are all that remains of a much larger group which went extinct long ago.
While confrontational on land, this armored turtle is more likely to flee when encountered in the water. They use the aquatic environment to camouflage their location, often hiding below the surface in the sediment or weeds.
They are easy to distinguish from other native turtles in north Florida. Their stout and muscular profile is quite different from their cousins.
Their upper shell is covered with ridges and spikes which are especially pronounced in younger specimens. At maturity the shell will exceed a foot and a half in length.
Mature males are heavier than the females, weighing in at over 20 pounds. The heaviest wild specimen has been reported to tip the scales at over 70 pounds.
Although well adapted for life in the ponds, rivers and swamps of panhandle Florida, it is common to find them plodding along far from water. Their motivation is either the search for a more plentiful source of food or a suitable site to lay their eggs.
The common snapping turtle is not a picky eater. In its aquatic settings it is an apex predator which will dine on the variety of delicacies available.
In addition to any unlucky fish, frogs, resting birds, or any other size-suitable animals, these turtles also graze on foliage within reach. These omnivorous reptiles are aggressive hunters which will use a variety of tactics to secure a meal.
They also will savage a recent kill, preforming a cleanup service which speeds decomposition in its environment. Its powerful jaws easily crush bone and other hard tissue.
Lifespan potential in the wild for individual turtles is open to question. While mature specimens have very few animals which even attempt to prey upon them, the juveniles and nests are subject to heavy predation.
Combined with a low reproduction rate, the population of the common snapping turtle remains in balance with resources naturally available to support their existence.
Be kind to them, but from a distance.
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