Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassTestudines
- FamilyChelydridae (Snapping Turtles)
- GenusChelydra (Typical Snapping Turtles)
- SpeciesChelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle)
The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a species of large, freshwater turtles in the family Chelydridae. Its natural range extends from southeastern Canada, southwest to the edge of the Rocky Mountains, as far east as Nova Scotia, and Florida. The present-day C. serpentina population in the Middle Rio Grande suggests that the common snapping turtle has been present in this drainage since at least the 17th century and is likely native. The three species of Chelydra and the larger alligator snapping turtles (genus Macrochelys) are the only extant chelydrids, a family now restricted to the Americas. The common snapping turtle, as its name implies, is the most widespread. The common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water, with its powerful, beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck (hence the specific epithet serpentina, meaning "snake-like"). Wikipedia →
20–30% of wildlife watchers report a Snapping Turtle sighting in Big Cypress National Preserve, based on 55 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Congaree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Point Pelee National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 3 | Big Cypress National Preserve | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Acadia National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Shenandoah National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 6 | Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | Everglades National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 8 | Voyageurs National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 9 | Badlands National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 10 | Riding Mountain National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Snapping Turtle in Big Cypress National Preserve?
About 27% of wildlife watchers report a Snapping Turtle sighting in Big Cypress National Preserve, based on 55 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Snapping Turtle in Big Cypress National Preserve?
January has the highest sighting rate for Snapping Turtle in Big Cypress National Preserve in our monthly data.