Spring 2018 NCC Magazine

SIZE AND WEIGHT
Weighs up to 16 kilograms and usually grows to
35 centimetres in shell length (but occasionally
up to 50 centimetres).
SHELL
This robust species has a ridged, thick upper
shell (carapace), which is tan, olive or black,
and a long, studded tail. Its bottom shell
(plastron) is small compared to that of other
turtle species, leaving the snapping turtle’s
limbs and neck exposed. The snapping turtle
is unable to fully retract into its shell when
threatened, which is why it snaps its jaws as
a defense against predators.
RANGE
In Canada, this species is widespread — from
southeastern Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia.
Snapping turtles are still fairly common in
eastern Canada, but less so in Saskatchewan
and Manitoba.
HATCHLINGS
From late May to June, female snapping
turtles build their nests in sandy soil. The
number of eggs per nest varies widely, but
a typical clutch contains 25–45 eggs. The sex
of hatchlings is determined by the incubation
temperature — males develop between
23–28 Celsius, while females develop outside
this temperature range.
ALGAE
Snapping turtles spend so much of their time
in the water that algae grows on their carapace.
They occasionally climb onto logs or rocks to
bask in the sun, especially in northern areas
where it is cooler.
HELP OUT
To help protect habitat for species such as
the snapping turtle, visit giftsofnature.ca.
More than a hard shell
needed for protection
Although snapping turtles have few
natural predators due to their size, their
numbers have declined because of the
loss of their wetland habitat. They are
particularly vulnerable to road mortality,
because females often have to cross
roads to find suitable nesting sites. Their
reputation as aggressive, voracious
predators has unfortunately also made
them targets for persecution by people.
Snapping turtles do not attack swimmers,
and are only aggressive when provoked.
They play an important role as scavengers
and help keep our waters clean.
Snapping turtles can live over 70 years,
and only reach sexual maturity at 15 to 20
years of age. As a result, any loss of
mature individuals can impact the
population. Roadside nests are at risk
of being destroyed by traffic, and eggs
and hatchlings are also vulnerable to
being eaten by other animals.
The snapping turtle is currently listed
as a species of special concern under
Canada’s Species at Risk Act.
Snapping back for
turtles at risk
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC),
with support from our partners, launched
the Carapace Project during the summer of
2017. The project invites members of the
public to report turtle sightings throughout
Quebec. The data collected helps identify
sites in need of conservation action and
helps define hot spots for road mortality.
To date, 856 turtle sightings have been
reported on the website (carapace.ca), of
which half were snapping turtles.
NCC conserves freshwater habitats that
support species like the snapping turtle.
Across Canada, NCC has conserved
properties where snapping turtles occur,
including in the Outaouais region, the
Grand Marais de Bristol, Clarendon and
Sheenboro natural areas in Quebec, the
Interlake Natural Area in Manitoba and the
Silver River property in Nova Scotia. In
Ontario, NCC has restored wetland habitat
on Pelee Island and in the Southern
Norfolk Sand Plain. Snapping turtles were
spotted using these new habitat areas
almost immediately!1
natureconservancy.ca
SPRING 2018 13