C h e l y d r a . O r g         

Snapping Turtles & Things 
Art  | Photography 
Main Page      | Help | About us | Contact 
 [ Updated ]
 
  Powered by 1&1
  Banner
 


   Main Page

  PUBLISHERS & BUYERS 
   sponsorship
   donations
   publishers
   advertisers
   webstats
   turtle store
   
   contact webmaster
   sign/view guestbook

  INTRODUCTION / HELP 
   turtle train
   walk turtle style
   help & sitemap
   snapping turtle club
   questions & answers
   question of the week
   + past entries
   ask question
   message forum
   turtle chat

  BASIC FACTS 
   what's a turtle ?
   prehistory
   basic anatomy
   + comm. snapper skull
   + allig. snapper skull
   + turtle embryo
   turtle dictionary
   classification

  COMMON 
  SNAPPING TURTLES 

   classification
   identification
   common vs. alligator
   4 subspecies
   + c.s.serpentina
   + c.s.osceola
   + c.s.rossignoni
   + c.s.acutirostris
   prehistory
   geographic range
   habitat
   behavior
   growth
   growth charts
   longevity
   feeding habits
   reproduction

  IN CAPTIVITY 
   acquiring a turtle
   handling snappers
   tank
   enclosure setup
   water
   filtration
   heater
   lighting
   basking light
   basic care
   feeding
   health checkups
   reptile vets
   incubator
   hatchlings

  ALLIGATOR SNAPPING
  TURTLES 

   classification
   identification
   common vs. alligator
   prehistory
   geographic range
   habitat
   behavior
   growth
   growth charts
   longevity
   feeding habits
   reproduction

  ALLIGATOR SNAPPERS 
  IN CAPTIVITY 

   acquiring a turtle
   handling snappers
   tank
   enclosure setup
   water
   filtration
   heater
   lighting
   basking light
   feeding

  ARTICLES 
   turtle personalities
   way of a hunter
   master strategist
   do they really bask ?
   climbing champions
   albino turtles
   trapping & relocation
   traveling with turtles
   misc

  REPTILE VETS 
   reptile vets - intro
   choosing a vet
   finding a vet
   reptile vet listings
   + vets USA
   + vets Canada
   + vets World

  BREEDERS 
  & PET SHOPS 

   pet shops vs. breeders
   pet shop listings
   breeders

  SNAPPERS & LAW 
   C.I.T.E.S.
   trade
   import & export
   laws for Canadians
   laws for USA

  PHOTO GALLERIES 
   common snappers
   alligator snappers
   photos by guests
   albino turtles
   turtles & our cultures
   reptile art
   other species photos

 DOWNLOADS 
   royalty free photos
   free puzzles

  OTHER TURTLE SPECIES 
   photos
   information

  BITS & PIECES 
   post a message
   links
   books
   credits
   copyright info
   about me
  
  Powered by 1&1
  Banner
 
  Sponsor links  
   Pure Healthy Water
 

 THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO THE SNAPPING TURTLES  
 and PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM  
   bookmark us
 

Common snapper vs. alligator snapper comparison 


As you probably already know, there are two groups of turtles that belong to the superfamily Chelydroidea: common snapping turtles and alligator snapping turtles. Both groups have that distinct prehistoric look and feel to them and are quite often confused for each other. However, there are significant differences between the two which are easy to spot, even to an untrained eye.

Common snapping turtle (left) and alligator snapping turtle (right) common vs. alligator snapping turtle

Common snapping turtle - Chelydra serpentina common snapping turtle - head

Alligator snapping turtle - Macroclemys temmincki alligator snapping turtle - head

The shell of the common snapper seems to be quite smooth, especially in larger individuals, while the alligator snapper's shell has easily distinguishable individual scutes with a distinctly bumpy feel. Although the alligator snapper's shell also becomes smoother with age, the 'rougher' feel never really goes away.

Common snapping turtle - side view alligator snapping turtle - side

Alligator snapping turtle - side view alligator snapping turtle - side

The shell of alligator snapping turtle has three distinctive ridges, while the common snapper's shells are smoother.

You can also see the difference in the shape of their heads, as you look at them from above. The alligator snapper has a triangular, pointed head, while the common snapper's head is more oval.

Common snapping turtle - carapace common snapping turtle - carapace

Alligator snapping turtle - carapace alligator snapping turtle - carapace

One of the most distinctive features of the alligator snapping turtle is the fleshy lure located at the bottom of its mouth, easily spotted when the turtle opens its jaws. The alligator snapper is the only turtle in the world with such a 'device'. With its jaws open the turtle fools fish into believing its lure is a live worm. Once a fish enters this trap to take a bite - it becomes a meal itself. The common snapper does not have such a lure.

Alligator snapping turtle - easily visible red fleshy worm-like lure in the mouth alligator snapping turtle - mouth

Another unique feature found on the alligator snapping turtle is a fleshy eyelash-like growth around its eyes - again, the common snapping turtle lacks them.

Alligator snapping turtle - eye with fleshy 'eyelashes' clearly visible alligator snapping turtle - eye

Common snapping turtle - eye, no 'eyelashes' common snapping turtle - eye

More reading & related links:
 
        Basic snapping turtle info in one file - Introduction to snapping turtles.pdf (116 Kb)  

 


          
back to top      



Google
 
Web www.chelydra.org

© 1998-2006 Stan Gielewski, All Rights Reserved.

Map IP Address
Powered byIP2Location.com