Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
| The largest freshwater turtle species in North Carolina. Snappers are seen roaming far from water in spring when females are looking for nesting sites. The snapper at left appears to be digging a nest. Granville Co., NC 5/16/09. |
| Snapping turles have long, thick tails. Granville Co., NC 5/16/09. |
| Granville Co., NC 5/16/09. |
| Another nest-digging snapper. Granville Co., NC 5/16/09. |
| Granville Co., NC 5/16/09. |
| Granville Co., NC 4/25/10 |
| Granville Co., NC 4/25/10 |
| Orange Co., NC 4/6/05. |
| Snapping Turtles aren't exactly cute, but they have a lot of character. Their jaws are as dangerous as they look — watch your fingers! This small snapper (above, left, and below) was in the road near Lake Pungo, NC 3/7/04. We made sure she made it safely across. |
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| This huge snapper dwarfs the other turtles in the pond. Pea Island NWR, Dare Co., NC 11/2/05. |