Disclaimer:

The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

---

Common name: Snapping Turtle

Synonyms and Other Names: common snapping turtle, snapper, tortuga lagarto. 

The taxonomy of C. serpentina has been reviewed or summarized by several authors (Ernst et al., 1988, 1994; Gibbons et al., 1988; King and Burke, 1989; Iverson et al., 2000).  Several authors have discussed the taxonomic status of the subspecies of snapping turtles, even suggesting recognizing the currently described subspecies as full species as few intergrades exist between them (reviewed by King and Burke, 1989; Ernst et al., 1994).  Iverson et al. (2000) now recommend using the standard English name "snapping turtle" rather than "common snapping turtle" as the latter implies that these turtles are abundant rather than having a broad range.  A variety of other vernacular names exist for C. serpentina in other countries and have been summarized by Mittermeier et al. (1980) and Liner (1994).  Scientific and standard English names follow Crother (2008).

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Chelydra serpentina is a robust turtle with a carapace (upper shell) length of 203-494 mm (8-over 19 in) (Ernst et al., 1994; Conant and Collins, 1998). The maximum weight, measured for an individual in captivity, is 39 kg (86 lbs) (Conant and Collins, 1998). The posterior edge of the carapace is serrated and, unlike Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle), any projections on the dorsal scutes (shields or laminae) do not form keeled ridges, and there is only a single row of marginal scutes (Conant and Collins, 1998; Powell et al., 1998). The plastron (lower shell) is greatly reduced in size (Conant and Collins, 1998). The tail is very long, as long as or longer than the carapace, and only has a single series of elongate dorsal scales, giving it a saw-toothed appearance (Ernst et al., 1994; Conant and Collins, 1998; Powell et al., 1998). Compare this description to the species account titled "Macrochelys temminckii (Troost in Harlan, 1835)" on this website. Juvenile snapping turtles are darker, almost black, and tend to have a more rugose carapace than adults (Conant and Collins, 1998).

Unlike the Eastern Snapping Turtle, C. s. osceola tends to have longer, more pointed tubercles on the neck (Ernst et al., 1994; Conant and Collins, 1998). Snapping turtles have been widely illustrated by numerous authors (Babcock, 1919; Carr, 1952; Smith, 1961; Wheeler and Wheeler, 1966; Ernst and Barbour, 1972, 1989; Stebbins, 1972, 1985; Mount, 1975; Lazell, 1976; Behler and King, 1979; Pritchard, 1979; Smith and Smith, 1979; Baxter and Stone, 1980; Martof et al., 1980; Caldwell and Collins, 1981; Vogt, 1981; Smith and Brodie, 1982; DeGraaf and Rudis, 1983; Cook, 1984; Gilhen, 1984; Obst, 1986; Garrett and Barker, 1987; Green and Pauley, 1987; Alderton, 1988; Christiansen and Bailey, 1988; Gibbons et al., 1988; Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Harding and Holman, 1990; Ashton and Ashton, 1991; Carmichael and Williams, 1991; Collins, 1993; Collins and Collins, 1993; Klemens, 1993; Ernst et al., 1994; Mitchell and Anderson, 1994; Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994; Brown et al., 1995; Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Degenhardt et al., 1996; Campbell, 1998; Conant and Collins, 1998; Bartlett and Bartlett, 1999a, b; Behler, 1999; Coulter, 1999; Hammerson, 1999; Phillips et al., 1999; Johnson, 2000; Hulse et al., 2001; Minton, 2001).

Two weakly defined subspecies (geographic races) occur in the United States (Gibbons et al., 1988; Conant and Collins, 1998; Iverson et al., 2000)- Chelydra serpentina serpentina (Linnaeus, 1758), the Eastern Snapping Turtle, and C. s. osceola Stejneger, 1918, the Florida Snapping Turtle.

Size: 203 - 494 mm carapace length on average

Native Range: Chelydra serpentina is a widely distributed turtle; its indigenous range encompasses the entire eastern and central United States from southern Canada, including Nova Scotia (Gilhen, 1984), and southern and eastern Maine (Smith, 1961; Wheeler and Wheeler, 1966; Webb, 1970; Lazell, 1976; Vogt, 1981; DeGraaf and Rudis, 1983; Cook, 1984; Lynch, 1985; Green and Pauley, 1987; Christiansen and Bailey, 1988; Gibbons et al., 1988; [Sievert] and Sievert, [1988]; Carpenter and Krupa, 1989; Harding and Holman, 1990; Collins, 1993; Collins and Collins, 1993; Klemens, 1993; Mitchell, 1994; Mitchell and Anderson, 1994; Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994; Casper, 1996; Conant and Collins, 1998; Bartlett and Bartlett, 1999a, b; Coulter, 1999; Phillips et al., 1999; Ballinger et al., 2000; Johnson, 2000; Hulse et al., 2001; Minton, 2001), southward to the Gulf of Mexico (Martof, 1956; Mount, 1975; Stevenson, 1976; Martof et al., 1980; Lohoefener and Altig, 1983; Garrett and Barker, 1987; Alderton, 1988; Moler, 1988; Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Ashton and Ashton, 1991; Carmichael and Williams, 1991; Gibbons and Semlitsch, 1991; Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Conant and Collins, 1998; Dixon, 2000; King, 2000); from the Atlantic Coast westward to the base of the Rocky Mountains in central Montana, eastern Wyoming, eastern Colorado, and eastern New Mexico (Baxter and Stone, 1980; Stebbins, 1985; Iverson, 1992; Ernst et al., 1994; Stuart, 1995; Degenhardt et al., 1996; Conant and Collins, 1998; Hammerson, 1999). Snapping turtles found in peninsular Florida and extreme south-central Georgia are generally considered C. s. osceola (Gibbons et al., 1988; Conant and Collins, 1998). 

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Reviews of the literature, natural history, and physiology of C. serpentina have been summarized by Babcock (1919), Gibbons et al. (1988), Gibbons and Semlitsch (1991), and Ernst et al. (1994).

Chelydra serpentina is an adaptable, highly aquatic turtle that inhabits almost any body of water (including brackish), rarely basks, but will foray over land (Babcock, 1919; Gibbons and Semlitsch, 1991; Ernst et al. 1994).

The Snapping Turtle is a generalized omnivore; any invertebrate, vertebrate, aquatic plant, or carrion they can grab and swallow, will be consumed (Ernst and Barbour, 1989; Ernst et al. 1994). In northern regions it has a high tolerance to cold and occasionally can be seen crawling beneath ice in winter (Ernst et al. 1994). Female C. serpentina lay 6–104 eggs in soil, rotting vegetation, sawdust piles, or muskrat and beaver lodges, during spring or summer (Ernst et al. 1994).

Means of Introduction: The means by which C. serpentina were introduced to most localities remains unknown but pet releases seem most probable (Bury and Luckenbach, 1976; Beebee and Griffiths, 2000). The introduction of snapping turtles to British Columbia, Canada, was intentional (Gregory and Campbell, 1984). Intentional introductions for aquaculture cannot be ruled out in some of the localities reported herein.

Status: Various C. serpentina collected in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, at first did not seem to represent an established population (Hulse, 1980); however, recent evidence indicates they are established (Howland, 1996; M. Demlong, personal communication 1997).

In California, C. serpentina are established in Fresno, Fresno County, and Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County (Stebbins, 1972, 1985; Smith and Kohler, 1978), and within the Guadalupe River watershed, Santa Clara County (J. Abel, personal communication 2001).  The high incidence of sightings and specimens coming from other localities suggest that the establishment of C. serpentina in California is more widespread (Bury and Luckenbach, 1976; Laudenslayer et al., 1991) and its status requires further study.  They are probably established in the Colorado River.  The snapping turtle seems to be an invasive species in California and, perhaps, the other Pacific states.

The Snapping Turtle from Mesa County, Colorado, was collected, and not indicative of an established population (Livo et al., 1998).

The status of individuals collected in Nevada and Utah remains uncertain (Stebbins, 1985). Probably not established in Puerto Rico.

The Snapping Turtles found in the Rio Grande drainage of central New Mexico are established; however, it has not been determined if these were indigenous turtles that went undiscovered until the 1980s or, more probably, they represent nonindigenous turtles that are gradually dispersing through this drainage (Stuart, 1995, 2000; Degenhardt et al., 1996).

The status of Snapping Turtles in Washington and Oregon remains unclear but the frequency of sightings, captures, and observation of a nesting female at Sandpoint, Seattle (Brown et al., 1995), suggest that scattered colonies are probably established in these two Pacific states. Intensive updated surveys should be conducted to verify the status of C.serpentina throughout the Pacific states and other western states. The nonindigenous occurrences of established populations of snapping turtles throughout the western U.S. are probably more extensive than what are reflected on this webpage.

In British Columbia, Canada, one C. serpentina (presumably of the six introduced in 1913) was collected near Steveston, west of Woodward's Landing 10 years later, but no modern evidence of an established, reproducing colony has ever been verified (Gregory and Campbell, 1984).

There do not seem to be reproducing colonies of C. serpentina (yet) in the United Kingdom (Beebee and Griffiths, 2000).

Impact of Introduction: The impact C. serpentina is unknown.

Remarks: A considerable amount of research has been performed on the physiological ecology of snapping turtle eggs, embryos, and nests, and best reviewed by Packard and Packard (1988), Ernst et al. (1994), and Rimkus et al. (2002). Snapping turtles derive their common English name from their violent antipredator behavior which involves snapping at an adversary while quickly lunging forward and extending its neck, potentially delivering a painful, damaging wound (Ernst et al., 1994; Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994; Hammerson, 1999). This vigorous defense is exhibited out of water and does not seem to be used while submerged (Vogt, 1981). These turtles also are capable of aggression toward conspecifics and Klemens (1993) has provided some rather dramatic photos of two males locked in combat.

Chelydra serpentina is commonly harvested for commercial exploitation, especially for food (Christiansen and Bailey, 1988; Pough et al., 2001).

Two weakly defined subspecies (geographic races) occur in the United States (Gibbons et al., 1988; Conant and Collins, 1998; Iverson et al., 2000)- Chelydra serpentina serpentina (Linnaeus, 1758), the Eastern Snapping Turtle, and C. s. osceola Stejneger, 1918, the Florida Snapping Turtle.

References: (click for full references)

Abel, J. 2001. Personal communication—Resident, Palo Alto, California.

Alderton, D. 1988. Turtles & Tortoises of the World. Facts on File, Inc., New York. 191 pp.

Ashton, R. E., Jr., and P. S. Ashton. 1991. Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida. Part Two. Lizards, Turtles & Crocodilians. Revised Second Edition. Windward Publishing, Inc., Miami. 191 pp.

Babcock, H. L. 1919. The turtles of New England. Memoirs of the Boston Society of Natural History 8(3):323-431. (Reprinted 1971. Turtles of the Northeastern United States. Dover Publications, Inc., New York. 105 pp.)

Ballinger, R. E, J. W. Meeker, and M. Thesis. 2000. A checklist and distribution maps of the amphibians and reptiles of South Dakota. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 26:29-46.

Bartlett, R. D., and P. P. Bartlett. 1999a. A Field Guide to Florida Reptiles and Amphibians. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston. 280 pp.

Bartlett, R. D., and P. D. Bartlett. 1999b. A Field Guide to Texas Reptiles and Amphibians. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston. 331 pp.

Baxter, G. T., and M. D. Stone. 1980. Amphibians and reptiles of Wyoming. Wyoming Game and Fish Department Bulletin (Cheyenne) (1):i-vi, 1-137.

Beebee, T. J. C., and R. A. Griffiths. 2000. Amphibians and Reptiles. A Natural History of the British Herpetofauna. HarperCollins Publishers, London. 270 pp.

Behler, J. L. 1999. National Audubon Society First Field Guide. Reptiles. Scholastic, Inc., New York. 160 pp.

Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York. 743 pp.

Brown, H. A., R. B. Bury, D. M. Darda, L. V. Diller, C. R. Peterson, and R. M. Storm. 1995. Reptiles of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle. 176 pp.

Bury, R. B., and R. A. Luckenbach. 1976. Introduced amphibians and reptiles in California. Biological Conservation 1976(10):1-14.

Caldwell, J. P., and J. T. Collins. 1981. Turtles in Kansas. AMS Publishing, Lawrence, Kansas. 67 pp.

Campbell, J. A. 1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Guatemala, the Yucatán, and Belize. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma. 380 pp.

Carmichael, P., and W. Williams. 1991. Florida's Fabulous Reptiles and Amphibians. World Publications, Tampa. 120 pp.

Carpenter, C. C., and J. J. Krupa. 1989. Oklahoma Herpetology. An Annotated Bibliography. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. 258 pp.

Carr, A. 1952. Handbook of Turtles. The Turtles of the United States, Canada, and Baja California. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 542 pp.

Crother, B.I. (chair). Committee on Standard and English and Scientific Names. 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Society for the Study of Amphibians and  Reptiles Herpetological Circular. No. 37. iii + 86p.

Casper, G. S. 1996. Geographic Distributions of the Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin. An Interim Report of the Wisconsin Herpetological Atlas Project. Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc., [Milwaukee]. 87 pp.

Christiansen, J. L., and R. M. Bailey. 1988. The lizards and turtles of Iowa. Iowa Department of Natural Resources Technical Series (3):1-19.

Collins, J. T. 1993. Amphibians and Reptiles in Kansas. Third Edition, Revised. Museum of Natural History, The University of Kansas, Lawrence. 397 pp.

Collins, J. T., and S. L. Collins. 1993. Reptiles and Amphibians of the Cheyenne Bottoms. Hearth Publishing, Hillsboro, Kansas. 92 pp.

Conant, R., and J. T. Collins. 1998. A Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians. Eastern and Central North America. Third Edition, Expanded. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 616 pp.

Cook, F. R. 1984. Introduction to Canadian Amphibians and Reptiles. National Museums of Canada, Ottawa. 200 pp.

Coulter, M. W. 1999. Common snapping turtle. Chelydra serpentina. Pp. 121-125, plate XX. In: M. L. Hunter, A. J. K. Calhoun, and M. McCollough (editors). Maine Amphibians and Reptiles. The University of Maine Press, Orono, Maine. 254 pp. + CD.

Degenhardt, W. G., and J. L. Christiansen. 1974. Distribution and habitats of turtles in New Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 19(1):21-46.

Degenhardt, W. G., C. W. Painter, and A. H. Price. 1996. Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 419 pp.

DeGraaf, R. M., and D. D. Rudis. 1983. Amphibians and Reptiles of New England. Habitats and Natural History. The University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst. 85 pp.

Demlong, M. 1997. Personal communication—Herpetologist, Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona.

Dixon, J. R. 2000. Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas. Second Edition. Texas A & M University Press, College Station. 421 pp.

Dundee, H. A., and D. A. Rossman. 1989. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana. Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge and London. 300 pp + unattached erratum.

Ernst, C. H., and R. W. Barbour. 1972. Turtles of the United States and Canada. The University Press of Kentucky, Lexington. 347 pp.

Ernst, C. H., and R. W. Barbour. 1989. Turtles of the World. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. and London. 313 pp.

Ernst, C. H., J. W. Gibbons, and S. S. Novak. 1988. Chelydra. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles (419):1-4.

Ernst, C. H., J. E. Lovich, and R. W. Barbour. 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington and London. 578 pp.

Fimrite, P. 2004. Turtles battle for Marin turf: Native western pond species is being driven out of its home in Marin water district lakes. [online] 2004 (May 17).  Available at URL http://SFGate.com.

Flores-Villela, O. 1993. Herpetofauna Mexicana. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Special Publication (17):i-iv, 1-73.

Garrett, J. M., and D. G. Barker. 1987. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Texas. Texas Monthly Press, Austin. 225 pp.

Gibbons, J. W., S. S. Novak, and C. H. Ernst. 1988. Chelydra serpentina. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles (420):1-4.

Gibbons, J. W., and R. D. Semlitsch. 1991. Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of the Savannah River Site. The University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia, and London. 131 pp.

Gilhen, J. 1984. Amphibians and Reptiles of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax. 162 pp.

Green, N. B., and T. K. Pauley. 1987. Amphibians and Reptiles in West Virginia. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh. 241 pp.

Gregory, P. T., and R. W. Campbell. 1984. The reptiles of British Columbia. [Second edition.] British Columbia Provincial Museum Handbook (Victoria) (44):i-viii, 1-103.

Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado. Second Edition. University Press of Colorado, Niwot, Colorado. 484 pp.

Harding, J. H., and J. A. Holman. 1990. Michigan Turtles and Lizards. Department of Outreach Communications, Michigan State University, East Lansing. 94 pp.

Holland, D. C. 1997. Personal communication—Herpetologist, Fallbrook, California.

Howland, J. M. 1996. Herps of Arizona. The Desert Monitor (Phoenix) 27(1):12-17.

Hulse, A. C. 1980. Notes on the occurrence of introduced turtles in Arizona. Herpetological Review 11(1):16-17.

Hulse, A. C., C. J. McCoy, and E. Censky. 2001. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca. 419 pp.

Iverson, J. B. 1992. A Revised Checklist with Distribution Maps of the Turtles of the World. John B. Iverson, Richmond, Indiana. 363 pp.

Iverson, J. [B.], P. [A.] Meylan, and M. [E.] Seidel. 2000. Testudines—turtles. Pp. 75-82. In: B. I. Crother (chair), and Committee on Standard English and Scientific Names (editors). Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular (29):i-iii, 1-82.

Johnson, T. R. 2000. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri. Revised and Expanded Second Edition. Missouri Department of Conservation, Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri, Jefferson City. 400 pp.

King, F. W. 2000. Florida Museum of Natural History's Checklist of Florida Amphibians and Reptiles [online]. Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville. Available on URL: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herps/FL-GUIDE/Flaherps.htm.

King, F. W., and R. L. Burke (editors). 1989. Crocodilian, Tuatara, and Turtle Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. The Association of Systematics Collections, Washington, DC. 216 pp.

Klemens, M. W. 1993. Amphibians and reptiles of Connecticut and adjacent regions. State Geological and Natural History Survey of Connecticut Bulletin (112):i-xii, 1-318.

Laudenslayer, W. F., Jr., W. E. Greenfell, Jr., and D. C. Zeiner. 1991. A checklist of the amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals of California. California fish and Game 77(3):109-141.

Lazell, J. D., Jr. 1976. This Broken Archipelago. Quadrangle/The New York Times Book Co., New York. 260 pp.

Liner, E. A. 1994. Scientific and common names for the amphibians and reptiles of Mexico in English and Spanish. Nombres científicos y comunes en Ingles y Españole de los anfibios y los reptiles de México. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular (23):i-vi, 1-113.

Livo, L. J., G. A. Hammerson, and H. M. Smith. 1998. Summary of amphibians and reptiles introduced into Colorado. Northwestern Naturalist 79(1):1-11.

Lohoefener, R., and R. Altig. 1983. Mississippi herpetology. Mississippi State University Research Center Bulletin (1):i-vi, 1-66.

Lynch, J. D. 1985. Annotated checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of Nebraska. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 23:33-57.

Martof, B. S. 1956. Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia. 94 pp.

Martof, B. S., W. M. Palmer, J. R. Bailey, and J. R. Harrison III. 1980. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. 264 pp.

Minton, S. A., Jr. 2001. Amphibians & Reptiles of Indiana. Revised Second Edition. Indiana Academy of Science, Indianapolis. 404 pp.

Mitchell, J. C. 1994. The Reptiles of Virginia. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington and London. 352 pp.

Mitchell, J. C. and J. M. Anderson. 1994. Amphibians and reptiles of Assateague and Chincoteague Islands. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publication (2):[i-iv], 1-120.

Mittermeier, R. A., F. Medem, and A. G. J. Rhodin. 1980. Vernacular names of South American turtles. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular (9):1-44.

Moler, P. 1988. A Checklist of Florida's Amphibians and Reptiles. Nongame Wildlife Program, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee. 18 pp.

Mount, R. H. 1975. The Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama. Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn. 347 pp.

Obst, F. J. 1986. Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins. St Martin's Press, New York. 231 pp.

Oldfield, B., and J. J. Moriarty. 1994. Amphibians & Reptiles Native to Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 240 pp.

Packard, G., and M. Packard. 1988 [1987]. The physiological ecology of reptilian eggs and embryos. Pp. 523-605. In: C. Gans and R. B. Huey (editors). Biology of the Reptilia. Vol. 16, Ecology B. Defense and Life History. Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York. 659 pp.

Palmer, W. M., and A. L. Braswell.1995. Reptiles of North Carolina. The University of North Carolina Press for North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, Chapel Hill and London. 412 pp.

Phillips, C. A., R. A. Brandon, and E. O. Moll. 1999. Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois. 282 pp.

Pough, F. H, R. M. Andrews, J. E. Cadle, M. L. Crump, A. H. Savitzky, and K. D. Wells. 2001 [2000]. Herpetology. Second Edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. 612 pp.

Powell, R., J. T. Collins, and E. D. Hooper, Jr. 1998. A Key to Amphibians & Reptiles of the Continental United States and Canada. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence. 131 pp.

Pritchard, P. C. H. 1979. Encyclopedia of Turtles. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune, New Jersey. 895 pp.

Rimkus, T. A., N. Hruska, and R. A. Ackerman. 2002. Separating the effects of vapor pressure and heat exchange on water exchange by snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) eggs. Copeia 2002(3):706-715.

Savage, J. M., and J. Villa R. 1986. Introduction to the herpetofauna of Costa Rica. Introducción a la herptofauna de Costa Rica. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Contributions to Herpetology (3):i-viii, 1-207.

[Sievert], G., and L. Sievert. [1988]. A Field Guide to Reptiles of Oklahoma. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Oklahoma City. 96 pp.

Smith, H. M., and E. D. Brodie, Jr. 1982. A Guide to Field Identification. Reptiles of North America. Golden Press, New York. 240 pp.

Smith, H. M., and A. J. Kohler. 1978. A survey of herpetological introductions in the United States and Canada. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 1977 80(1-2):1-24.

Smith, H. M., and R. B. Smith. 1973. Synopsis of the Herpetofauna of Mexico. Volume II. Analysis of the Literature Exclusive of the Mexican Axolotl. John Johnson Natural History Books, North Bennington, Vermont. 367 pp.

Smith, H. M., and R. B. Smith. 1976. Synopsis of the Herpetofauna of Mexico. Volume III. Source Analysis and Index for Mexican Reptiles. John Johnson, North Bennington, Vermont. 23 pp., Am-T, App-102, Cor-4.

Smith, H. M., and R. B. Smith. 1979. Synopsis of the Herpetofauna of Mexico. Volume VI. Guide to Mexican Turtles. Bibliographic Addendum III. 1044 pp.

Smith, H. M., and R. B. Smith. 1993. Synopsis of the Herpetofauna of Mexico. Volume VII. Bibliographic Addendum IV and Index, Bibliographic Addenda II-IV, 1979-1991. University Press of Colorado, Niwot, Colorado. 1082 pp.

Smith, P. A. 1961. The amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 28(1):[i-v], 1-298. (Reprinted 1986.)

Stebbins, R. C. 1972. California Amphibians and Reptiles. University of California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London. 152 pp.

Stebbins, R. C. 1985. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Second Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 336 pp.

Stevenson, H. S. 1976. Vertebrates of Florida. Identification and Distribution. University Presses of Florida, Gainesville. 607 pp.

Stuart, J. N. 1995. Notes on the aquatic turtles of the Rio Grande drainage, New Mexico. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society 31(3):147-157.

Stuart, J. N. 2000. Additional notes on native and non-native turtles of the Rio Grande Drainage Basin, New Mexico. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 35(10):229-235.

Stuart , J. N., and C. S. Clark. 1991. Geographic distribution: Chelydra serpentina serpentina (common snapping turtle). USA: New Mexico: Sandoval Co. Herpetological Review 22(4):134.

Stuart, J. N., and C. W. Painter. 1988. Geographic distribution: Chelydra serpentina serpentina (common snapping turtle). USA: New Mexico: Socorro Co. Herpetological Review 19(1):21.

Vogt, R. C. 1981. Natural History of Amphibians and Reptiles in Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee. 205 pp.

Webb, R. G. 1970. Reptiles of Oklahoma. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. 370 pp.

Wheeler, G. C., and J. Wheeler. 1966. The Amphibians and Reptiles of North Dakota. The University of North Dakota Press, Grand Forks. 104 pp.

Other Resources:
Art by Stan Gielewski

Snapping Turtle Page

Nonindigenous Species Website Links

Illinois Natural History Survey

Colorado Herp Society

California Tortoise and Turtle Club

Author: Fuller, P., Foster, A., and Somma, L.A.

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.