The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and the larger alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) are widespread North American reptiles often encountered near freshwater habitats. Many people wonder if they make noise. The answer is yes: snapping turtles hiss when they feel threatened, indicating stress or perceived danger.
The Direct Answer: Hissing Behavior
The sound is a loud, sudden expulsion of air, similar to a snake’s hiss. This noise is typically heard when the turtle is startled by a predator or person on land. The hiss is often accompanied by a sudden movement, such as the turtle quickly drawing its head and neck back toward its shell. Sometimes, the turtle opens its mouth wide during the sound, adding to the visual threat display. This startling acoustic and visual warning is designed to make a potential threat pause.
Why Snapping Turtles Hiss
Snapping turtles lack vocal cords, so the hiss is not a true vocalization. The noise is a mechanical byproduct of a forced exhalation from the lungs. When a turtle abruptly retracts its head and limbs into its shell, the sudden compression of the body cavity pushes air out. This air rushes through the nostrils and mouth, creating the distinct hissing sound.
This mechanism explains why the sound is sudden and short, corresponding with the physical action of pulling inward. Although the sound may be involuntary, the rapid retraction of the head that causes it is a deliberate defensive response. The hiss serves as a clear acoustic signal of stress and perceived danger.
Understanding Other Defensive Actions
Snapping turtles have a comparatively small bottom shell (plastron), preventing them from fully withdrawing their head, neck, and limbs for complete protection like other species. This anatomical limitation forces them to rely on active defense when threatened on land. The hiss is typically the first warning sign before a physical defensive action.
The primary defense is a powerful bite and a deceptively fast strike. On land, the turtle often faces the threat directly, extending its rear legs to tilt its shell forward in a defensive posture. Their long, flexible neck allows them to strike out with surprising reach and force, using sharp, beak-like jaws. They are less aggressive in the water, where they can retreat or remain submerged.
The perception that snapping turtles can chase or leap is inaccurate; their body structure makes them slow on land. Their aggressive display and quick strike are a focused defense for a cornered animal trying to protect itself.
Safe Encounters and Coexistence
Maintaining a safe distance is the simplest way to coexist, as they only display defensive actions when provoked or cornered. If a turtle is encountered crossing a road, allow it to proceed in the direction it is traveling. Moving a snapping turtle requires caution due to its long neck and biting capability.
Never pick up a snapping turtle by its tail, as this causes severe damage to its spinal cord. If moving the turtle across a road is necessary, use a shovel or car mat to gently nudge it in the direction it was headed. If you must lift it, approach from the rear and grasp the shell firmly near the back legs, where the neck cannot reach.