| When
a Snapping Turtle is taken from its home of fresh water, it
lives up to its name. It is capable of delivering a very painful
bite, so it is best to leave them be. These turtles lie on lake
and river bottoms in shallow water so that they can have their
nostrils out of the water for air. During the day they are often
found hiding beneath logs, rocks, and leaves. Snapping turtles
will eat almost anything--including insects, clams, worms, frogs,
snakes, birds, and sometimes even small mammals. Two big threats
for the snapping turtle are raccoons, which steal turtle eggs,
and humans, whose wastes pollute the water the turtles live
in. |
Photo
courtesy of Barney Oldfield |
