Talk:Common snapping turtle

Arbitrary section header
Somebody who knows more than I ought to discuss that they are a common host for leeches. 00:16, 15 May 2007 (UTC)jsmerc01

Photographs
If this article includes all snapping turtles,

Theres some big ole boys down where i come from. We found one and named him rocky.
 * Clever. You know Rocky had two turtles he named Cuff and Link.--BillFlis 13:15, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

______________they are aleins

The image from Holbrook's "North American Herpetology" is that of an Alligator snapper. Any objections if I remove it? 2604:2000:7117:900:340C:F3CC:1001:3FE1 (talk) 01:35, 27 July 2020 (UTC)

Soup
I moved the soup links to the Turtle soup article, and added a link to the Turtle soup article here.--BillFlis 13:15, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

Largest or not?
One editor had it as the largest fresh-water turtle in the world, but another demoted it to "one of the largest". Is it indeed the largest or not? Anybody got a citation?--BillFlis 01:54, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. The worlds largest is still up for debate, but The Giant Softshell Turtle (Pelochelys bibroni) is at the top of the list. MFuture 02:00, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

Merge with Chelydra?
i propose to merge this article with the Chelydra stub, in effect making this an entry on the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina, the only extant member of its genus). the Alligator Snapping Turtle has its own entry, and so any info here on that species is redundant anyway. if there are no major objections, i'll get underway within the next couple of weeks. (it really needs to be more encyclopedic, anyhoo.) Metanoid 05:15, 21 December 2006 (UTC)

No objection here! MFuture 23:21, 9 January 2007 (UTC)


 * Not a good idea. There are other Chelydra species. There should be a separate page for the genus. Dger (talk) 23:05, 23 January 2011 (UTC)
 * It can't be merged as two other species, South American snapping turtle and Central American snapping turtle. Regards, SunCreator (talk) 23:41, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

subspecies
whoever added the notes on subspecies, thx! my 'net cnxn has been down for nearly a week. Metanoid 17:10, 3 January 2007 (UTC) its all bulshit — Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.237.185.7 (talk) 19:37, 21 September 2011 (UTC)

amputation of digits
please reference the tutles ability of amputate digits

I have found that anyone studying these creatures (e.g. Ministry of Natural Resources in Ontario Canada) will tell you the amputation of digits tales are myths. They can break skin but not much more. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.78.127.33 (talk) 15:35, 2 July 2009 (UTC)

As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator I have taken in quite a few injured adult common snapping turtles. I've demonstrated on several occasions, using an appropriate sized stick, the crushing strength in the bite of these animals. This, combined with the slicing edges of the mouth can easily do sufficient damage to a finger or toe to completely destroy if not sever it.CharmsDad (talk) 09:31, 23 April 2010 (UTC)

The claim that C.serp. can sever fingers in one bite is not supported to my knowledge (I am a grad student working on STs - have handled hundreds). Most (even large males) cannot break a pencil. I have seen (and know of other instances) bites from large STs - lacerations occurred but no serious injuries. No doubt injuries might occur in severe bite but severed digits extremely unlikely. Matt Keevil (talk) 17:49, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

I've worked with turtles, including this species, for decades and I've seen snapping turtles crush sticks as large as a finger. While complete amputation may not happen at the time of the bite, sufficient damage may be done to cause loss of that digit.CharmsDad (talk) 18:06, 4 October 2012 (UTC)

Life span
I think this section needs to be verified. I've heard of snappers living over a century. Recently, a documentary said they were finding snappers with musketballs in their shells from the Civil War. -- VegitaU 05:01, 29 July 2007 (UTC)


 * from a very brief google search, that claim seems to be floating around about an alligator snapper, but not the common (C. serpentina)   Metanoid (talk, email) 19:40, 14 October 2007 (UTC)


 * True dat. I didn't realize there was another species. That's the one they featured on Dirty Jobs. -- VegitaU 22:50, 14 October 2007 (UTC)


 * Dirty jobs did indeed show the larger Alligator Snapping Turtle (not the species in this article.) All turtles tend to be relatively long lived but, while there are a few exceptions, fresh water aquatic turtles don't tend to live as long as their terrestrial cousins.CharmsDad (talk) 18:09, 4 October 2012 (UTC)

further improvements
anyone want to start on the "In captivity" section? i'd like to keep it, having briefly cared for a snapper myself; but it really needs to be better cited than it is at present. Metanoid (talk, email) 02:06, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

me again. pretty good (!!well-referenced!!) pieces on chelydrids (esp. Chelydra)at darren naish's Tet Zoo blog. here's some links if anyone would like to check 'em out:

http://darrennaish.blogspot.com/2006/02/they-bite-they-grow-to-huge-sizes-they.html http://darrennaish.blogspot.com/2006/02/snapping-turtles-part-ii.html http://darrennaish.blogspot.com/2006/05/snapping-turtles-part-iii-bite-lunge.html

Metanoid (talk, email) 02:10, 25 December 2007 (UTC)

The method described for lifting is appropriate for the alligator snapper but not the common snapper. These turtles can pull their heads in far enough and their necks are flexible enough that grabbing the shell behind the head is a guarantee of being bitten. The proper way to lift the common snapping turtle is by grabbing the shell with both hands above and slightly forward of the back legs. Curling your hands in far enough will prevent the claws of the rear feet from being able to push your hands off. If the animal's shell is fractured lifting by the shell is usually not appropriate. In such cases a sheet or blanket can be used to to lift the animal safely. Avoid netting since it tends to tangle and catch in claws and be difficult to remove.CharmsDad (talk) 09:47, 23 April 2010 (UTC)

One of the external pages referenced at the end of this article (www.chelydra.org) has a description, with pictures, of the proper way to handle Common Snapping Turtles at http://www.chelydra.org/snapping_turtle_handling.html. In my experience, that site is a reliable source for information about turtles which is both accurate and responsible.CharmsDad (talk) 17:12, 3 June 2010 (UTC)

Red List status incorrect
This species has not been assessed, and therefore the RL status in the taxobox should not say "VU". It is the Central American species/subspecies C. rossignoni (http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/63660/summ) that is listed as Vulnerable. Will R Turner (talk) 11:35, 2 October 2008 (UTC)
 * You are correct. - UtherSRG (talk) 05:23, 3 October 2008 (UTC)

Should they stay or go?
Last summer I purchased a home with about a 1 acre 15 foot deep pond, here in middle Tennessee. The previous owners and I both have been removing common snappers by either live trap and release or shooting. I thinking of adding some fish and am questioning whether to leave the turtles or continue to remove them. Any help or advise would be appreciated.

Also this article about the turtles rarely basking is not all true here. I see the turtles floating all the time in the sun. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.183.120.239 (talk) 17:38, 15 April 2009 (UTC)

Snapping turtles will take out fish as will some other turtle species (depending on the size and type of fish). While you may be able to trap some, the only way to completely remove the snapping turtles is by draining the pond. Snapping turtles do not generally bask or sit at the top of the water. There are quite a few aquatic turtles native to Tennessee and I suspect you have other species present in your pond. It is quite common to have multiple species in any aquatic environment.CharmsDad (talk) 09:55, 23 April 2010 (UTC)

they come back every year or every 5 months  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.179.210.253 (talk) 15:45, 23 June 2013 (UTC)

food for snapers
the common snaper will eat almost anything and loves: grass hopers(with there legs off), turtle pelets,lettus,fish flakes,raw beef,cooked eggs,cut leches,minos and green apple —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.149.144.109 (talk) 23:40, 15 October 2009 (UTC)

Captivity Section flow
This section ends with a warning not to engage a snapper and drag it around while it bites on a stick. Might be good advice but has nothing to do with captivity. Couldn't find anywhere else it should go. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 6StringJazzer (talk • contribs) 03:18, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Predation by Great Blue Heron
User [Agamemnus] has removed the picture Image:GreatBlueHeroneatingturtle08.jpg from the gallery at the bottom with the justification for the removal being that it has nothing to do with anatomy. I disagree with that argument and have reinstated the image. There is a lot more to Snapping Turtles than just their anatomy, including their ecological interactions. I think that the picture is interesting and helps to illustrate the high predation rate experienced by hatchling turtles which is a key force shaping their entire life history strategy. [Agamemnus], please feel free to discuss this issue here. Matt Keevil (talk) 07:26, 22 December 2010 (UTC)


 * A high predation rate is not illustrated by this sad picture; it just shows a blue heron eating it. It does not illustrate how many blue herons eat it. (and I don't really think the predation rate of young snappers by blue herons is that high anyway -- most snappers just don't find any food, or their eggs are eaten, etc.) It's an unusual and cruel picture, especially for someone wanting to read about snapping turtles e.g. to help guide their pet care, etc. --Agamemnus (talk) 19:36, 22 December 2010 (UTC)


 * I don't think that the pet care section should be included in wildlife articles at all, personally, and it is generally frowned upon for wikipedia articles to be instructional. Apparently I have a different view of the purpose of this article. I am hopeful that I can find time to seriously improve this article. Anyway, starvation is not usually a major factor in turtle hatchling mortality, most are thought to be killed by predators including wading predatory birds such as blue herons. While I appreciate that you empathize with baby turtles, I certainly do as well, I don't feel that it justifies censoring the image from the article. Matt Keevil (talk) 20:34, 22 December 2010 (UTC)
 * It's not like the article is suggesting what kind of pellets to use. "censoring" is not what I would call removing that image from the article... The image is freely available at the Wikimedia Commons. It's not my empathizing with baby turtles that makes me want to remove the article, but that it simply does not add to the article and makes it unpleasant to view for Wikipedia users. I have not yet seen any other article about any other animal where the subject is eaten.--Agamemnus (talk) 22:44, 22 December 2010 (UTC)
 * So... in summary, my feeling is that it is disgusting and adds nothing to the article, but only takes away. :/ Comments, please? --Agamemnus (talk) 07:29, 28 December 2010 (UTC)
 * Agamemnus, I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to respond to this, since the only argument you advance for removing the picture from the bottom gallery is that it is "disgusting". How can anyone rebut your personal feeling of disgust (and why should they have to)? There is nothing shocking or atypical about the image, and there is no blood or gore. I gave several arguments for keeping the image in the article including the fact that a hatchling snapping turtle being predated is a) entirely typical of the fate of most young juvenile snapping turtles, and b) this fact is important for the entire life history strategy of turtles in general and snapping turtles particularly. Therefore it is entirely relevant. I said that you censored the image from the article; I never stated or implied that it was globally censored. The reason I chose the word censor is because it most accurately describes my interpretation of your action and stated rationale. I provided reasons why the image is illustrative and consistent with the topic, reasons which you never refuted, and since your stated reasons for removing it is your own personal distaste, I would say that is typical censorship, albeit on a local scale. I suppose a picture of a snapping turtle about to eat another animal would also be removed, as would pictures of dozens of leeches parasitising a snapping turtle (also the rule rather than the exception), so that the entire spectrum of trophic interactions (except perhaps herbivory) that characterizes snapping turtle ecology is off limits for photographic representation. Oh well, it is not worth an edit war, so I suppose you win. Matt Keevil (talk) 07:36, 2 January 2011 (UTC)
 * I agree with Matt. Great Blue Herons are beautiful birds and need to feed to stay alive. Even if they were the ugliest aninmals in earth they still need to feed and progagate their species. Small turtles are well known as a food source for various birds. It may not look pleasant to a human eye but to a bird's eye it is normal and natural to capture various creatures for consumption and life. I congratulate the photographer for capturing such a difficult image. Dger (talk) 16:09, 2 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Agree, It's always nice to have an image of a predator (and to leave out 'how to-ish' sections such as pet care). We should consider ourselves lucky to have an image of a heron eating the exact species of turtle this article is talking about.--NYMFan69-86 (talk) 03:26, 6 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Actually, there is no consensus, so I am reverting. The fact remains that despite whether this does happen or not, it does not prove anything other than a heron about to eat a turtle, and it is not appropriate within the context of both the other images displayed and as a visual aid in and of itself -- I don't see such images in other articles about wildlife.
 * If you claim it is illustrative, I would at least like to see proof that snappers are very often eaten by blue herons, and where it somehow adds to any actual text in the article, and how it is not an outlier amongst any other similar articles about wildlife.
 * If you wish to create a common snapping turtle predation article with links to research, then it would be appropriate to show a variety of pictures of snappers eating other things and other things eating snappers.--Agamemnus (talk) 00:13, 13 January 2011 (UTC)
 * In fact, there is nothing at all in the article about predation by blue herons...--Agamemnus (talk) 00:18, 13 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Nothing is needed, the picture tells a thousand words. The picture is evidence that this does occur. The reason there are not many such images is simply because they are very difficult to obtain--another reason the image should stay. I photograph birds daily and have only a handful of rather poor images where a bird has prey in its mouth. The photographer should be congratulated rather than censored. Dger (talk) 01:59, 19 January 2011 (UTC)
 * A picture tells a thousand words, but it does not tell whatever you want it to tell. Furthermore, I never said "this does not occur". The picture does not say that this occurs often, nor does it inform the article. You can congratulate the photographer, if you wish. Again, please respond in terms of my objections instead of with rhetoric and misleading undo summaries.--Agamemnus (talk) 10:26, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Sorry to be blunt but your arguments have little merit. In the animal world there is nothing inherently "cruel" or "sad" about a heron eating a turtle. If we anthropomorphize on the bird side you could argue it is a delightful picture of a heron feeding itself. This picture shows the order of things in the natural world. Large eats small. Why should it matter whether this happens frequently or not. It did happen and the picture is evidence.


 * Your next argument has to do with pet care but Wikipedia is explicitly not a how-to-do reference. I am not the only one who has dismissed your arguments. In fact, the "vote" seems to be 4 in favour of the picture and one against. (I include the person who originally placed the picture although I don't want to waste time determining who it was.) Dger (talk) 19:59, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
 * PS. Regarding pet care, these animals should never become pets. That is another form of predation and is cruel. Dger (talk) 21:53, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Agree. Arguement about the inclusion of this image has gone on for long enough.  To think a person uploaded that image to commons only to have it never used because it's "cruel."  What about this image: File:Rabbit roadkill.JPG?  Is this not allowed in roadkill?--NYMFan69-86 (talk) 00:21, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
 * There is no consensus. | Wikipedia is not a democracy, you did not address my points, and I will continue to revert your edits until we reach consensus.
 * "Sorry to be blunt but your arguments have little merit. In the animal world there is nothing inherently "cruel" or "sad" about a heron eating a turtle. If we anthropomorphize on the bird side you could argue it is a delightful picture of a heron feeding itself. This picture shows the order of things in the natural world. Large eats small. Why should it matter whether this happens frequently or not. It did happen and the picture is evidence."
 * It is not a question of whether it is cruel or sad in the animal world. It's not a question of anthropomorphism, either. It's a question of whether this image is appropriate for an article about snappers. I don't think it is, because Wikipedia is about informing users, not about sharing random photos or shocking users' sensibilities. Yes, I think this image would shock most people, and it does not help in any way to inform the article. No, I don't think roadkill is appropriate in an article about rabbits, either. If you would like to show the "order of things in the natural world", write an article about predation.
 * Also: I said that a comma should not come before "however", not after. I never argued that a comma should never come after "however". (unless it's the last word of a sentence)
 * ALSO (to Dger): "PS. Regarding pet care, these animals should never become pets. That is another form of predation and is "cruel" That is a bit of a personal attack, now, and incredibly misguided. A common snapper turtle will live longer and have a better life in the care of someone who is devoted to its upkeep, just like any other pet. It is not dangerous (unless you'd like to offer proof), and is decently intelligent, as far as reptiles go. I potty-trained mine, for example.
 * --Agamemnus (talk) 09:16, 24 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Nothing personal intended. I have no problem with turtles as pets unless they are taken from the wild. That to me is inappropriate. As far as I know there are no pet shops in Canada or the USA that can sell snapping turtles. Most pet shops sell only red sliders. Dger (talk) 21:08, 24 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Regardless of that, you never considered that snappers drifting in to residential driveways might not be in the wild?--Agamemnus (talk) 22:06, 24 January 2011 (UTC)
 * You're right, the picture does not inform the article.....that's impossible. Listen, the reason for including this image is not for shock or awe or whatever other distorted reason you can think of.  It's inclusion is appropriate (by no means critical, but appropriate nonetheless) because it exemplifies that blue heron's prey on this animal in the wild, nothing more, nothing less.  Granted, it would be nice to have some text on this in the body of the article, but until then (and after then), this image is still a great piece to this article.--NYMFan69-86 (talk) 01:51, 25 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Then put it in the BLUE HERON article. If you talk to a normal person, a "democratic" standard for inclusion, they will tell you it is sick to put this image in. --Agamemnus (talk) 19:29, 30 January 2011 (UTC)
 * If it makes you sick, don't look at the article anymore; surely it makes just you sick. NYMFan69-86 (talk) 16:01, 28 March 2011 (UTC)

No subspecies
There hasn't been any subspecies for a while. The South American snapping turtle and Central American snapping turtle are now separate species. See: Regards, SunCreator (talk) 00:35, 24 January 2011 (UTC)


 * Taxonomy has been updated. Dger (talk) 02:03, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Sighting in Nevada County, California. Invasive?
I saw a turtle identical to some of the pictures here in a Koi pond at the Sierra College campus in Grass Valley, California. It was at the bottom, and was apparently disturbed enough by the commotion in the fairly shallow pond to surface. It then proceeded to feed on the Koi pellets, then submerged again. Are they documented as having appeared in California? Or is it more likely someone had him as a pet and dumped him in when he got too big (his shell was at least a foot in diameter)? More importantly, does this raise any local concerns other than a decrease in the pond's goldfish population? Logan Felipe (talk) 02:50, 30 August 2011 (UTC)
 * IUCN checklist page 000.92 show the common snapping turtle introduced into California. Local concerns about introduced species affecting native species are not uncommon. I have not read anything specifically about the snapping turtle but have for other turtles. See Painted turtle, Conservation of painted turtles for some coverage on it. Regards, SunCreator (talk) 21:47, 21 September 2011 (UTC)
 * If it was a snapping turtle it is almost certainly a dumped pet. This species has been identified in many areas outside of, and far from, its natural range, including at least one case in England which was reported some years ago.  As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator I've had many calls from people asking if it is OK to release their pet turtles into the wild, often species not native to this area.  It is not, even if it is a native species (per the State Wildlife Commission's senior biologist here in NC.)  Turtles are longer lived than most pet species and, from my experience, people often don't appreciate the length of the commitment when taking one as a pet.  In addition, California has rather strict, and often controversial, laws regarding pets.  It would not surprise me for someone to have released one either because it became to large to handle, they got tired of it, or because they would rather release it than turn it in to be euthanized.CharmsDad (talk) 18:28, 4 October 2012 (UTC)

Range Map
The range map is incorrect, and does not match the verbal description of the snapper's range. See 24.155.186.36 (talk) 15:18, 8 July 2013 (UTC)


 * Text corrected to match IUTS and Reptile database. Dger (talk) 16:16, 8 July 2013 (UTC)

The range map is still very wrong. According to the IUCN, they occur deep into southern Texas. Jobediah (talk) 08:11, 10 June 2014 (UTC)


 * If you like give it a few days the new edition of the IUCN Checklist (2014) is coming out on Friday this week. The new one has range maps for all of the species, 453 taxa. Including this one. This will give you an up to date assessment of the range maps. I will link it as soon as its in print. Cheers, Faendalimas  talk 15:11, 11 June 2014 (UTC)
 * Just a reminder on this. No update since 2011. --Agamemnus (talk) 20:42, 11 August 2015 (UTC)

Range map remains incorrect. These turtles are present in central Texas, in not-insignificant numbers. 130.164.62.138 (talk) 15:19, 26 June 2017 (UTC)Internet Rando

Not to pile on, but snapping turtles are very common in North-Central and East Texas. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 143.115.155.57 (talk) 22:12, 1 November 2018 (UTC)

One as a pet
Of course I rely largely on the pet's owner for his observations... and although it must be released for hibernation in the winter, it can be a pet, and the owner said that his snapping turtle (then 21 years old) was docile enough to be presented to children and to residents of nursing homes (where I met it). He considers his turtle arguably more tame than the typical dog (who often has some traces of wildness as individuality). It is affectionate, but no more obedient than a cat.

The owner keeps the turtle's sharp claws sheathed as they cannot be safely trimmed as on dogs and can do about as much damage as dog claws. (Dog claws are dangerous!) He also discourages people from putting fingers near the mouth as "Snappy" might confuse them with the bluegills that he relishes. Cold-blooded and hibernating for nearly half the year, it does not need as much food as a cat or dog. The owner says that the turtle should not be fed red meat which is too rich for its diet (fish, frogs, small rodents, and large insects are appropriate).

The shell feels much like wood (the turtle, I am told, can feel through the shell) and the skin feels like leather -- my observation, terribly imprecise, but likely verifiable.

Its medical care is expensive, as it needs a reptile specialist (who apparently treats snakes and lizards).

I do not have the owner's name and will not expose where he or the turtle lives aside from saying somewhere in the Great Lakes region of the US.

It can be a pet, but it is not an easy animal to keep.Pbrower2a (talk) 04:50, 30 October 2014 (UTC)


 * Some few items of correction. (1) First, hibernation is not necessary and snapping turtles will adjust to the temperature around them. In typical climes where winter exists, a snapping turtle will eat much less in the winter and sleep more, even indoors. In Massachusetts, I would say it's about between October and February IIRC. (2) Second, it's true that reptile specialists are relatively expensive, but snapping turtles are a very hardy species and typically do not need as many visits or professional care. (3) Third, since snapping turtles need to eat while in the water (due to swallowing and saliva issues apparently), most tame ones would probably not ever bite fingers if they are not in water (ie: if presenting). (4) Fourth, claws do not present the same danger like a dog's or cat's claws do. Snapping turtles can't "swipe" or "pounce" with claws, but if holding one, they can grip around you tightly or thrash around. Presumably someone who can hold turtle (ie: not a small child) will also able to handle any claw damage. --Agamemnus (talk) 09:15, 11 August 2015 (UTC)

(1) an animal with a similar ecological role to a dog (near-apex predator, apex predator in some locations) and long lifespan is likely to have some individuality. This said, whether a snapping turtle hibernates or not may be a matter of the local climate -- more likely in a place with real winters (like northern Indiana, where 'Snappy' lives) than in Florida, where winters are mild and food is readily available (besides, Florida has a predator that snappers must be alert to -- the alligator). In northern Indiana the only predator that an adult snapper has cause to fear is humans. The only other large predator that an adult snapper could face in northern Indiana is a dog, which is not going to crack its shell.

Because seasons are somewhat delayed in the Great Lakes region, the hibernation time in northern Indiana would be November through March.

(2) Dogs obviously do not have the life expectancy of snapping turtles (I have never known of a dog as old as 'Snappy'), and as common as dogs are they are targets for every imaginable parasite. Dogs are also more likely to get into some accident with cars, barbed-wire fences, poisons, and firearms. Fearless as dogs are they are more likely to meet an animal that can hurt them such as a porcupine, skunk, or goose -- or get kicked by horses or cattle, or get a venomous snake bite. But canine veterinary care is much better known than is turtle care.

(3) The turtle's owner did not tell me that the turtle needed to take its food into water to eat... but as with a dog, I would expect a snapper to defend with the same method with which it subdues prey -- its fearsome bite. Predators are generally good defenders.(If I describe a dog as a nasty predator -- it is. It is just better behaved than animals with similar build, such as bears and Big Cats).

If I had to choose whether a dog was more likely to bite than a snapper -- the dog is more likely to have a situation in which it will bite, as in protecting a creature for which it has some affection -- human, canine, or even feline.

(4) on claws -- we have cats, dogs, and snappers mentioned. Cats are far more likely to scratch because human reflexes are much slower than those of cats. But cat scratches are more superficial because cat claws are smaller, if sharper. Dog claws are really dangerous because of their size and the force behind them. Although it is easier to evade a dog scratch, dogs can deliver inadvertent scratches that prove deeper and longer than those of cats, and the laceration is more vulnerable to infection. Dog scratches practically demand medical care. A turtle may have sharp, large claws, but the turtle's reflexes are far slower than those of a cat or dog. Snappy's owner is far more likely to see a physician for a dog scratch than for a turtle scratch.

The question of trimming the turtle's claws relates to the lesser knowledge that people have of turtle physiology. Dogs and cats are the animals that veterinarians best know (horses are third), but snappers are rare pets. Trimming a dog's formidable claws is easy enough for a groomer to handle. There are no turtle 'groomers'.

I would never do anything to compel a snapper to think itself in danger from me and thus having to use its mouth and claws against me. I say the same of a dog, which is potentially more lethal to a person who does something incredibly stupid.Pbrower2a (talk) 03:25, 17 January 2019 (UTC)

Range map for common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is incorrect.
Range map for the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is incorrect. Chelydra serpentina's natural range covers all of Louisiana and much of Texas, yet the range map on Wikipedia does not reflect this. Chelydra serpentina are very common in these areas not reflected on Wiki's current range map. Can someone please correct this? Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.229.153.202 (talk) 14:35, 6 May 2015 (UTC)

Are they the best?
yes, they are because they r obese turtles 198.188.61.251 (talk) 16:46, 17 March 2023 (UTC)