Scientifically known as Chelydra serpentina, the snapping turtle can grow up to 18 inches long. They can weigh up to 75 pounds which is just right for their size. But snapping turtles that are in captivity are usually overfed. It means that they are overweight which makes it hard for them to move around.

In the wild, snapping turtles don’t usually weigh more than 35 pounds. Their hard shell protects their back and stomach from predators. They have long tails that are almost the same length as their top shell. These tails are covered by spiny sharp ridges which are hard to miss if you see them in the wild.

Snapping turtles don’t have teeth like other turtle species. They have a long beak instead which is very strong. Aside from that, they have sharp claws as well to fight back when predators come to them. That’s why they don’t have many predators. Instead, they have a lot of prey in the wild. It makes them the predator of small animals and other turtles.

Snapping turtles can be found in North America and they are the largest freshwater turtles around. They live in streams, ponds, and brackish water habitats. These turtle species usually float on the water surface. They bask on logs under the sunlight to dry up and feel warm. They also burrow in the muddy areas that can be found in shallow waters in the wild.

Does a Snapping Turtle Bite Hurt?

Getting bitten by a snapping turtle can hurt a lot. It can be painful and can inflict serious injuries. The bite of a snapping turtle can cause excessive bleeding and wound infection. If it’s not treated right away, it can end up being amputated. It’s advised to seek medical treatment immediately.

Even if you get bitten by a pet turtle or other turtle species around, it can still be painful. It can cause bleeding if they manage to break the skin. When a snapping turtle bites you, it will cause a lot of pain. They are known to be notorious when it comes to delivering a powerful bite. Make sure to be careful when you encounter one.

Although snapping turtles are known to give a powerful bite, they don’t just snap at you. They only do that if they feel threatened or stressed with your presence. If they mistake your hand for food, they will not think twice either. It’s going to be unpleasant when you get bitten so it’s best to stay away from them.

Snapping turtles are rumored to bite off a human finger. That’s because of their powerful jaws and sharp beaks. It can break the bones and these turtles can bite off your toes. But the good news is, there are no reported cases that it occurs. They can use their size and strength for their predators.

Can a Common Snapping Turtle Bite Your Finger Off?

Yes, a snapping turtle can bite a human finger off. They are huge types of turtles and have a sharp jaw and beak. These turtles have enough biting force. They can bite a human finger easily so being careful around them is a must. These turtle species have the physical ability to do that. Although there are no reported cases, it’s better to leave them alone.

Amazingly, there are only two reptiles in the US who can bite off human body parts. One of them is the snapping turtle and an alligator. But not all snapping turtles are capable of biting a finger off. The common snapping turtle can leave a scar from its bites. But it’s not powerful enough to bite a finger off like other species.

The alligator snapping turtles are large in size. Unlike the common snapping turtles that are smaller. The average alligator snapping turtle weighs around 155 to 170 pounds. Some of them can grow up to 200 pounds or 91 kilograms. They are bigger than sea turtles which makes their bites more powerful. The alligator snapping turtles have sharp jaws.

Due to their size, this turtle species can provide more pressure when biting. They have enough biting force to chop off your finger. If you’re unlucky to cross paths with them, make sure to run. These species can break a wooden broomstick and animal bones. The alligator snapping turtles are the only species that can inflict this injury.

How Hard Do Snapping Turtles Bite?

The toad-headed snapping turtles provide a powerful bite. Their biting force can reach up to 432 Newtons. These snapping turtles are threats to other animals since they can provide serious injuries. The common snapping turtles have a bite force of 208 Newtons. While the alligator snapping turtles only have 158 Newtons of bite force.

Even though they don’t have too much bite force, the alligator snapping turtles can still bite off a finger. Fortunately, there are no actual cases of snapping turtles biting humans. But some stories said that they bite people’s faces and hands. There’s one incident of an alligator snapping turtle biting a young man.

Its bite leads to infection but not actually biting it off. Although his finger almost has to be amputated because of infection. Crocodiles have a bite force of 16, 460 Newtons while humans have a bite force of 890 Newtons. But snapping turtles possess sharp beaks that can cut their prey in half.

Can Snapping Turtles Bite Underwater?

Underwater, both common and alligator snapping turtles are docile. They will do anything to avoid humans. It means that they will not bite underwater. There are many snapping turtles around the bodies of water. That includes small ponds where people usually swim. There are no biting incidents reported which means they don’t attack.

However, it’s still possible for snapping turtles to bite even underwear. It’s a rare occasion that they will do that unless you threaten them. It’s nothing to worry about as long as you don’t mean any harm to them. The snapping turtles will go to great lengths just to avoid humans. If you don’t want to be bitten, don’t provoke them.

When the female snapping turtles are nesting on land, it will be a different story. They are ready to defend themselves and their eggs. If they are bothered by humans, they will deliver their powerful bites. The best thing to do is to stay away and leave them alone. The snapping turtles will only bite humans if you mess with them.

Like other turtle species, the snapping turtles are slow when they are on land. They can’t outrun their predators. It’s also impossible for them to dive in water so that they can hide. Unlike other turtle species, their bodies are too large and cannot retract on their shells. They only rely on their size and defend themselves when attacked by predators.

Will Snapping Turtles Attack You On Land?

Luckily, snapping turtles don’t attack or chase after humans on land either. If you leave them alone and give them space, they will just ignore you. But if you try to pick them up, that will trigger the turtle to defend itself. It’s better to let them go on with their business. You don’t want to test how painful their bites are.

Snapping turtles can be seen away from water during the late spring and early summer. It’s their nesting period and time to lay their eggs on land. Even if you see one on your front lawn, it will be back in the water shortly. Female snapping turtles will not get away from the water until the next nesting.

If you have a pond near your home, make sure to inform the children not to mess with the turtles. Keep an eye on your pets as well, especially when it’s the nesting period. The female snapping turtles can be outside unfenced yards. It’s around mid-May and early June when they lay their eggs. Keep a safe distance from them to avoid encounters.

Can a Snapping Turtle Bite You If You Hold It By the Tail?

If you hold a snapping turtle on its tail, it can possibly bite you. But doing so can seriously injure the turtle so avoid doing this. In case you get bitten by a snapping turtle, wait for it to release you. It will not end up well if you pull your hand from its powerful jaw. The turtle’s grip will tighten that will cause more injury and a lot of pain.

However, snapping turtles can be tamed if you decide to make them as pets. You should handle them regularly for it to get used to humans. But be careful because they can be scared and they can bite in defense. Just pick it up by the back of its belly. Avoid holding it near its head to avoid their bites.

1. How to Handle Hatchlings and Juveniles Snapping Turtles?

• Pick up the hatchling snapping turtle with your finger and thumb. Make sure to do it gently and be cautious.

• Place your thumb on the rear of its shell. Your forefinger underneath should be between its rear legs.

• For juveniles, you can place your forefinger and middle finger between its rear legs. The tail should be between them.

• When the juvenile grows bigger, you need to place more fingers underneath. When it’s heavier, you should use both hands when handling it.

2. How to Hold a Midsize and Large Adult Snapping Turtles?

• Don’t let the turtle see you coming and approach it from behind. Don’t make loud noises or bump on it before you pick it up. Wear a pair of heavy hooves to protect your hands. It will also provide a better grip.

• Grab the snapping turtle with one hand on each side of its carapace. Your hand must be behind its back legs. Make sure to have a good grip before lifting the turtle. It can be slippery because of the water.

• Once you have lifted the turtle, move it quickly. Keep it low to the ground as much as possible. It will avoid serious injuries in case you drop it. Keep its head away from your body and hold it far. The snapping turtle’s neck is flexible and can bite at any angle.

• Gently place the turtle in the carrier or the ground. Release your grip from its shell and step back right away. Leave it alone to recover from the scare of being held by a human.

What Happens if You Get Bit by a Snapping Turtle?

When you get bitten by a snapping turtle, you have to immediately take action. It depends on the bite but you can simply wash the area with soap and warm water. But if the bite looks bad, it’s time to seek medical attention immediately. Snapping turtles can inflict serious injuries so you need to know what to do when you get bitten.

Turtles are innocent and gentle creatures but they also need to defend themselves. They will bite when they sense danger. It can cause mild to serious injuries depending on the turtle species. Some of them can cause excessive bleeding when their bite breaks the skin. Depending on where you get bitten, it’s better to be treated right away before it gets worse.

1. Excessive Bleeding

If you are bitten by a snapping turtle hard, it can break the skin. That can cause excessive bleeding once it lets go. If you’re having excessive bleeding, it’s time to call for the emergency service. Common snapping turtles and alligator snapping turtles can produce this bite. The wound must be treated immediately.

2. Spurts or Spray Blood

When the wound suddenly sprays blood, it’s a sign that it’s a serious injury. The blood vessels may have ruptured from the bite. If this occurs, you have to apply pressure. Use a clean cloth or bandage from the bite. It will minimize blood loss while waiting for the paramedics or medical professionals.

3. Continuous Bleeding

Applying pressure to the wound can stop bleeding. But if it doesn’t stop after 10 minutes, make sure to call the emergency hotline in your area. Even if the bite doesn’t look serious but continuously bleeding, something is wrong. You need to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

4. Bite On the Nose, Throat, Chest, or Abdomen

Snapping turtles can bite at any part of the human body. If you are bitten on these parts, it can cause serious injury. There was a reported case in Malaysia that a human nose was bitten off. Snapping turtles can break animal bones. That doesn’t exclude humans from getting this serious bite. When it happens, make sure to call the emergency hotline right away to get treated immediately.

5. Emergency Symptoms

The victim may feel dizziness, vomiting, rapid, irregular, hard on breathing, or become unconscious. It means that you have to call the emergency service right away. Avoid transporting yourself to the hospital if you’re the one who got bitten. Ask someone to drive you or wait for the ambulance.

Are Snapping Turtles Can Be Pets?

Snapping turtles can be tamed just like other animals. But they are not ideal pets because of their size and temperaments. They can grow huge compared to other turtle species. Unlike the red-eared sliders, they are aggressive. Turtles are fascinating creatures, but not all of them can be kept as pets.

Many exotic pet lovers like the idea of keeping reptiles as pets. Although most reptiles can be kept as pets and it’s safe to have them around. It’s not a good idea to keep others in captivity. The snapping turtles can grow more than 60 pounds. It’s hard to keep them as pets because of their size alone.

Aside from that, snapping turtles are very aggressive. They are also hunters and like catching their food. They eat frogs, insects, worms, snakes, fish, birds, small turtles, and more. It’s their natural habit so they will catch their prey so they can eat even when they are in captivity. That’s not the best idea to make them your pet.

How to Keep a Snapping Turtle as a Pet?

Keeping a snapping turtle as a pet is not impossible. You have to always keep in mind that they bite. Their bite force is enough to snap your finger off. They can easily break the skin and even the ones of humans. If you have children at home, it’s not recommended to keep a snapping turtle as a pet.

Before getting a snapping turtle right away, you should consider going for a smaller species. Many turtles are less aggressive as well. Snapping turtles can grow big and they need to have a bigger tank. Aside from that, they can deliver a nasty bite that can cause serious injuries as well.

If you decide to proceed with a snapping turtle, make sure to have the right tank size. Keep it in a 55-gallon tank when it reaches more than eight inches in length. As it grows, it can get more challenging to contain in an enclosure. Many snapping turtles that were kept as pets end up being released in the wild because of this issue.

FAQs

1. Why do snapping turtles have that name?

The largest turtle species in Ontario, Canada is the snapping turtle. They are the largest freshwater and terrestrial turtles in the country. These species have brown and primitive-looking shells. Their shells are connected to their back and their underbellies. They can snap fast when approached by humans or other animals.

This is how these turtle species got their names. They need to snap so that they can protect themselves. Snapping turtle’s can’t retract completely inside their shells. They have long tails, legs, and forelegs that won’t fit. Although they are aggressive, they are also shy so it’s best not to bother them.

2. How strong is the biting force of a snapping turtle?

The Journal of Evolutionary Biology registered the snapping turtle’s actual jaw strength in 2002. According to the, their biting force is between 208nand 226 Newtons. That’s not as strong as a human jaw-biting force, which is between 300 and 700 Newtons. But snapping turtles can break animal bones and cause serious injuries.

3. When do you see snapping turtles?

The female snapping turtles are active during the nesting season. They will try to find a nesting spot so that they can lay their eggs. Generally, turtles travel long distances just to find a good nesting spot for their eggs. The nesting period usually runs from the early mid-summer. The female turtles may nest on the shoulders of roads. They kike gravelly and sandy land areas for their nests.

4. Why are snapping turtles a species of special concern?

Snapping turtles are species of special concern in Ontario. It means that these turtle species are not yet endangered. However, they are already close to that threshold. When a female turtle dies or is killed, there will be a negative effect on its population.

One female snapping turtle can lay up to 1400 eggs to replace herself. But even if these species are under special concern, it’s legal to hunt them. That’s why a formal request asks to remove the snapping turtle from the hunting list. But it was denied in 2011 by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

5. What should you do if you see a snapping turtle?

The best thing to do is to leave them alone when you see a snapping turtle. Don’t take them and keep them as pets. You can move the turtle off the road or just leave it. Use a car mat, blanket, or shovel to do this. Avoid grabbing the turtle in front or their sides. Use a shovel to scoop them away from the road.

Make sure to put them in the same direction where they are going. If you place the snapping turtle in another direction, it will attempt to cross the road again. It’s best to help them out to avoid their numbers from decreasing. Snapping turtles will not bite you unless you’re a threat to them.