The snapping turtle is a common reptile to see along ditch banks, in any marsh or pond area and sometimes crossing roads with a grumpy attitude. These turtles are sometimes cranky because they’re quite different from the typical turtle. The snapping turtle lacks a large plastron, (which is the bottom half of the shell that covers the belly). While most turtles can pull their limbs and head into their shell, the snapping turtle cannot. Therefore it’s only means of defense is running away (slowly) or trying to fight off its predator. The snapping turtle is very much prehistoric looking which makes them easy to identify. This turtle has a long tail equipped with sharp looking spikes which separates it from any other turtle in Ontario. Along with the spikes on the tail, the shell also has spikes! These spikes are flatter and more rugged looking and are usually covered in algae and mud. If you’ve ever seen a snapping turtle you know they are one of Ontario’s largest turtles! They can have up to a shell length of 50cm and can also weigh over 30lbs!
The snapping turtle is common in Southern Canada from Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia and everywhere in between. This turtle will hibernate in the muddy bottom of wetlands through our cold Canadian winters and actually breathe through their bum when they run out of oxygen! The cloaca is the vent at the rear of the turtle where eggs, urine and feces are all released. A part of the cloaca, the cloacal bursae, is a membrane that allows gases to pass through it. Oxygen is taken from the mud and enters directly into the turtle’s blood stream. Snapping turtles can breathe through their butts!
If you see one of these monster sized turtles remember that they’re an important aspect of the environment they live in. The snapping turtle is often seen crossing busy roads so keep your eye open and try your best to avoid running over these cool creatures of the not so deep.
