Baby Snapping Turtle Habitat

A common snapping turtle, or Chelydra serpentina, resides in freshwater habitats. Snapping turtles reside in ponds, marshes, swamps, river, creeks, streams and sometimes in puddles where they feed on animal or plants living in the freshwater habitat.

Mating

Snapping turtles mate between April and November, although most begin nesting on dry land to lay eggs in May or June. The females lay an average of 30 eggs at a time in the early morning or late evening.

Hatching

The females lay their eggs in sand, dirt or dried leaves and incubate the eggs for approximately 80 days before the eggs hatch and the baby snapping turtles rush to the protection of the local freshwater source.

Protection

Once in the water, baby snapping turtles can hide from predator animals such as fish and alligators.

Habitats

Snapping turtles prefer freshwater bodies with sand or mud bottoms, submerged trees and aquatic plant life. Snapping turtles have been found, however, in some brackish saltwater marshes.

Food

Baby and adult snapping turtles feed on insects, worms, algae, plants, small fish and even birds and mammals.

References

• Common Snapping Turtle
• Snapping Turtles