Snapping turtles are overwhelmingly aquatic reptiles. The two primary species, the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and the larger alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii), spend the vast majority of their lives submerged. They are found across a wide range of freshwater environments, from southern Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico, occasionally tolerating brackish water. Although they must surface to breathe, they can remain motionless underwater for extended periods, sometimes up to 50 minutes. This aquatic lifestyle is why they are rarely encountered unless traveling on land.
Preferred Aquatic Environments
Snapping turtles prefer water bodies that provide camouflage and abundant food sources. They thrive in permanent, quiet waters such as shallow ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving rivers. They primarily seek a soft, muddy, or silty bottom, allowing them to easily burrow and lie in wait for prey.
Submerged in the substrate, often with only their eyes and nostrils exposed, they become effective ambush predators. Their dark, often algae-covered shells aid in concealment against the murky background. They also favor water bodies with dense aquatic vegetation, which provides additional cover. They avoid deep, clear lakes or fast-flowing rivers where their ambush hunting strategy is less effective.
Movement and Terrestrial Activity
Despite their preference for water, snapping turtles engage in terrestrial excursions for biological necessities. The most significant reason for leaving the water is nesting, a behavior carried out exclusively by females, typically from late May through June. A female will travel up to a mile to locate a suitable nesting site.
The preferred location is usually dry, sandy, or loamy soil, often along banks, road embankments, or in open fields, providing necessary drainage and sun exposure for incubation. Once eggs are laid, the female returns to the water. Turtles may also move across land to migrate between adjacent water sources if their current habitat dries up or if food becomes scarce. This movement is often observed during rainy periods in the spring and early summer.
Winter Retreat: Brumation
During colder months, snapping turtles enter a state of inactivity called brumation. This period is spent entirely underwater, typically beginning when water temperatures drop below 41°F. The turtles settle into the soft substrate at the bottom of their aquatic habitat, often burying themselves deep within mud, silt, or leaf debris.
They may also shelter under submerged logs, within muskrat burrows, or beneath overhanging banks. During brumation, the turtle’s metabolism slows drastically, allowing it to survive on minimal oxygen. While they can occasionally surface for a breath, they primarily absorb oxygen from the surrounding water through specialized vascularized areas in their skin and the lining of their cloaca, a process known as cloacal respiration.