AMPHIBIA AND REPTILIA OF COLORADO 113 



Family Chelydridae 



The Snapping Turtles 



Snapping Turtles are found in North and South America, and in 

 Asia. They are powerful, heavy, freshwater turtles, found usually in 

 sluggish streams. A single species of snapper is known from Colorado. 



Genus CHELYDRA Schweigger 

 Chelydra Schweigger, Prodromus Monographiae Chelonorum, p. 23, 1814. 



Chelydra serpentina (Linnaeus) 

 Snapper, or Snapping Turtle {Figure 37) 



Tesludo serpentina Linnaeus, Sysl. Nat., ed. X, p. 199, 1758. 



Carapace broad, elevated anteriorly and notched posteriorly; 

 costals, 4 on each side; neurals, 5; nuchal, 1; marginals, 23 ; plastron 

 small and cross-shaped, of 9 plates; 2 or 3 inframarginals at the outer 

 margin of the bridge; tail long, equal to the length of the plastron, 

 cylindrical and tapering, with a row of bony tubercles on its mid- 

 dorsal surface and a few smaller tubercles on the sides, with two rows 

 of plates on its ventral surface; head large, much depressed and 

 pointed; digits, 5-5, webbed to the claws; claws, 5-4; size large, 

 specimens weighing as much as forty pounds having been reported. 



General color brown, blackish brown or olive above; ventral parts 

 whitish or yellowish. 



This turtle takes its common name from its behavior when 

 attacked. At this time it jumps suddenly and snaps with great vigor. 

 With its powerful curved jaws it can easily snap a fair-sized stick in 

 two, and average-sized specimens are dangerous if carelessly handled. 

 It feeds on all sorts of small aquatic animals, including water birds. 

 The habit of snappers, of swimming under water birds and dragging 

 them down, is well known. They will on occasion take floating car- 

 casses. The eggs, about fifty in number, are laid in moist sand in 

 June. 



This species is of considerable importance as a food for man. 



