{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "snapping-turtle",
  "name": "Snapping Turtle",
  "scientificName": "Chelydra serpentina",
  "category": "Reptile",
  "summary": "The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle native to ponds, lakes, and slow rivers across North America. It has a rugged shell up to about 0.5 m (20 in) long, powerful hooked jaws, and can weigh 4.5 to 16 kg (10 to 35 lb). An opportunistic omnivore, it often lives 30 to 50 years in the wild and is listed as Least Concern.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Reptilia",
    "order": "Testudines",
    "family": "Chelydridae",
    "genus": "Chelydra"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 14,
    "lengthM": 0.5,
    "topSpeedKmh": 5,
    "lifespanYears": 40
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Chelydra serpentina"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Omnivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "30–50 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "Shell up to 0.5 m (20 in)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "4.5–16 kg (10–35 lb)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers across central and eastern North America.",
    "continents": [
      "North America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Chelydra serpentina.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Chelydra%20serpentina&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Chelydra serpentina. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Chelydra_serpentina/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Snapping Turtle.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_snapping_turtle"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/snapping-turtle/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/snapping-turtle/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}