Chelydridae can be found within the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, and class reptilia.
Kingdom Animalia is one that most of us are familiar with and includes all animals. Chordata includes chordates which are organisms that have notochords which a period of their development. In humans and chelydrids, the notochord becomes the vertebral column.
Reptilia include reptiles and birds.
Family Chelydridae is also referred to as snapping turtles.
There are three genera within the family and these are Chelydra and Macrochelys. Species include Macrochelys temminckii, Chelydra serpentina, Macrochelys suwanniensis, and Chelydra rossignonii.
All chelydrids are freshwater turtles and predators with strong and powerful jaws.
The alligator snapping turtle and Suwannee snapping turtles are capable of amputating fingers. The common snapping turtle and the central American snapping turtles are capable of causing severe injuries.
These turtles are predominately carnivorous but feed on a substantial amount of plant matter. These chelonians are known to feed on other turtles, fish, small alligators, water birds, insects, snails, crawfish, and snakes. They also consume fruits and vegetation.
Chelydridae generally has a rugged appearance. These chelonians have hooked beaks and tubercles on their legs and neck.
The alligator snapping turtle and the Suwannee snapping turtle has three ridges on their carapace which have large rough-looking scales. This gives it the appearance of an alligator or even a dinosaur such as the Ankylosaurus.
Chelydridae have tiny plastrons which barely cover their underside. This is unusual as most turtles have large protective plastrons. The plastron of chelydrids doesn’t offer much protection.
However, they do not need it as adult chelydrids are apex predators. They use their sharp claws and sharp beak to defend themselves.
Chelydrids have a lifespan of anywhere from 45 to above 100 years. These chelonians are long-lived.
They reach reproductive maturity at ages 11 to 13 years. These turtles breed yearly and have an average of 30 offspring. The eggs take about 100 to 140 days to hatch.
The family Chelydridae was first described and named in 1831 by John Edward Gray, a British biologist.
Table of Contents
Species Within The Family Chelydridae
1. Alligator Snapping Turtle (Loggerhead Snapper)
- Binomial Name: Macrochelys temminckii
- Average Adult Length: 14 to 32 inches (35 to 81 cm)
- Average Adult Mass: 19 to 176 lb (8.4 to 80 kg)
- Lifespan: 45 years
- IUCN Red List Conservation Status: Vulnerable
M. temminckii is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. This turtle is also one of the largest turtles in the world.
M. temminckii is also known as the loggerhead snapper. M. temminckii is close in appearance to the common snapping turtle also known as the snapping turtle. This comes as no surprise are both belong to Family Chelydridae.
Loggerhead snapper may be closely related to the Suwannee snapping turtle which is now considered to be a species of its own and is in the same genus – Macrochelys.
The loggerhead snapper is named after the ridges on the shell that gives the carapace the appearance of an alligator’s skin. The loggerhead snapper also has powerful jaws which is also another reason for the common name.
Loggerhead snapper can be found in freshwater habitats. These include rivers, swamps, lakes, canals, and large ponds. They prefer to live in the deepest part of their habitat.
They spend almost all their lives in water. Nesting females are the only members of the species that come to shore and that is to nest.
The loggerhead snapper can be found in Tennessee, Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, East Texas, and Florida.
The loggerhead snapper has a large head which gives it its common name loggerhead snapper. It also has a rough carapace which sports three ridges of large rough-looking scales.
This gives it the appearance of an alligator or even a dinosaur such as the Ankylosaurus. Males are generally larger than females.
The loggerhead snapper is almost exclusively carnivorous although it may eat plant matter every now and then. Loggerhead snapper feeds on other turtles, fish, small alligators, water birds, insects, snails, crawfish, and snakes.
Basically, the loggerhead snapper would eat any animal smaller than itself that is found within its habitat.
2. Suwannee Snapping Turtle
- Binomial Name: Macrochelys suwanniensis
- Average Adult Length: 14 to 32 inches (35 to 81 cm)
- Average Adult Mass: 19 to 176 lb (8.4 to 80 kg)
The Suwannee snapping turtle was once believed to be a wild subpopulation of alligator snapping turtles up until recently. Now it is considered a separate species which can only be found within the Suwannee River system which gives the turtle its common name.
M. suwanniensis is endemic to southern Georgia and northern Florida. Similar to alligator snapping turtles, this species can mainly be found in rivers.
There are a few that has been found in oxbow lakes, and swamps. Populations found in lakes were most likely introduced there by humans.
A large number of M. suwanniensis was discovered within the Okefenokee Swamp.
3. Common Snapping Turtle
- Binomial Name: Chelydra serpentina
- Average Adult Length: 10 to 18.5 inches (25 to 47 cm)
- Average Adult Mass: 19 to 176 lb (8.4 to 80 kg)
- Lifespan: 100 years
- IUCN Red List Conservation Status: Least Concern
The common snapping turtle is known for its painful and powerful bites. This goes as far back as the earlier 19th century when it was used as a political cartoon where the common snapping turtle bites a merchant attempting to dodge an embargo.
The snapping turtle is also the state reptile of New York; a state in which the species thrives.
While the snapping turtle’s bite is not strong enough to amputate fingers, its bites can cause serious lacerations. This rumor likely originated from the alligator snapping turtle which is capable of biting off fingers.
Along the way, these accounts were likely attributed to the common snapping turtle. There have been several documented cases of alligator snapping turtles biting off fingers.
C. serpentina is a large turtle with a rough-looking tan carapace and a saw-like tail. The tail is very long and in most cases, it is almost as long as the carapace.
This turtle, like other snapping turtles, has a tiny plastron. Also, C. serpentina has a hooked beak and tubercles on the legs and neck.
The species is tolerant of cold temperatures and is known to swim in ponds that have been frozen over.
C. serpentina is a long-lived reptile that is known to live for over 100 years although there is little data on the lifespan of the species.
Interestingly enough, the common snapping turtle is commonly kept as a pet.
This turtle is large and requires a huge tank or even an outdoor pond. Their care can be tough and they do require a lot of space.
4. Central American Snapping Turtle
- Binomial Name: Chelydra serpentina rossignonii / Chelydra rossignonii
- IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
The central America snapping turtle was considered to be the subspecies of the common snapping turtle but in recent times it is considered a separate species as biologists have noted differences in the structure of the two species’ skulls as well as other genetic differences.
The species has been noted to be nocturnal and completely aquatic, only coming out to nest.
C. rossignonii looks very similar to the common snapping turtle. Only upon close professional examination can the two be distinguished. It is easier to distinguish them based on their geographic range.
C. rossignonii is endemic to Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. C. rossignonii can be found in slow-moving murky waterbodies such as swamps slow-moving rivers, and wetlands. This chelonian is a predator that camouflages itself in water bodies with a lot of vegetation.
In Guatemala, it is noted that C. rossignonii can be found in slow-moving tributaries, backwater sloughs, and oxbows.
C. rossignonii is known to eat shrimp, fish, frogs, crabs, and vegetation. Occasionally they are found in large deep wivers.
Aas with all snapping turtles, C. rossignonii is a solitary animal.
Although the turtle is not yet there has been a significant decline in the wild population. This decline is down to habitat loss as well as the collection of food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do chelydrids make a good pet?
Many turtle enthusiasts keep chelydrids as pets with many having the opinion that the chelydrid is the best pet turtle and is a favorite of many.
For beginners, chelydrids are huge reptiles, growing over 2 ft in carapace length and can grow to weights of 175 lb. As such these chelydrid require huge enclosures.
When first acquired as babies, these reptiles can be tiny and be the same size as a cooter but you must be prepared to build a huge enclosure for the turtle.
Handling can be difficult as they are huge and heavy. Also, they can attack you when handled wrongly. Wrong handling can also lead to injuries to the turtle.
Some chelydrids such as the alligator snapping turtle are more difficult to keep they require an enormous enclosure. These are also dangerous to handle as their jaws are powerful enough to amputate human fingers.
Is it legal to own chelydrids as pets?
Legality depends on your localities. Within many states in the united states, the snapping turtle is legal to own as far as it is the common snapping turtle. In other places, however, ownership is illegal.
For instance in Canadian provinces such as Quebec and Saskatchewan, the snapping turtle is illegal to own as they are native to the area.
Also, because snapping turtle is an invasive reptile, they are illegal to own in many places around the world.
Some snapping turtles such as considered Suwannee snapping turtle cannot be kept as pets as their numbers in the wild is very limited.
What other families is Chelydridae closely related to?
The only other family that can be considered to be closely related to Chelydridae is Platysternidae. This family was once considered to be part of the family Chelydridae until recently.
Platysternidae has a single genus and a single species which is the big-headed turtle found in southeast Asia. this turtle is on the verge of extinction and is named after its head which is big.
Which chelydrids are endangered?
No species within the family Chelydridae is endangered on the IUCN Red List. However, most of the species are considered endangered in North America either in Canada or the United States, or both.
The common snapping turtle is considered a species of “Special Concern” in several Canadian provinces such as Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Canada as a whole.
The alligator snapping turtle is considered endangered in many states in the united states such as Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana.
In 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed defining the Suwannee snapping turtle as an endangered species under the ESA (Endangered Species Act).
Conclusion
Chelydridae consists of 2 genera and 4 species. The genera include Macrochelys and Chelydra. The species include the Macrochelys temminckii (alligator snapping turtle), Chelydra serpentina (common snapping turtle), Macrochelys suwanniensis (Suwannee snapping turtle), and Chelydra rossignonii (Central America snapping turtle).
Chelydrids are rugged-looking chelonians with rough shells and sharp beaks. The common snapping turtle has a long neck that allows it to reach behind its shell. Alligator snapping turtles however have short necks.
Although these chelonians have powerful bites and sharp claws, they are commonly kept as pets. These reptiles are not for beginners as they require huge ponds to thrive. The enclosure size of a subadult or an adult needs to be as large as a swimming pool.
Also, the chelydrids can be dangerous to keep. Some of the species such as the alligator snapping turtle is cable of biting off your finger while the genus Chelydra is capable of causing serious lacerations.
However, these chelonians are defensive creatures and will only bite or attack humans if they feel threatened.
When kept as pets, these are more of display animals. Most individuals do not enjoy handling and should be kept to a minimum. If you wish to acquire a pet chelydrid, it is important to acquire one which is captive-bred.