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Climate for Snapping Turtles

Two species of snapping turtle, the alligator snapping turtle and common snapping turtle, live in the United States. Though the two turtles look similar, they are not closely related. The alligator snapping turtle is in a completely different genus, Macrochelys. It is also the only living member of this genus. The alligator snapping turtle is typically smaller than the common snapping turtle. Despite their differences, however, the turtles fill similar ecological niches and live in similar climates.

Distribution
- Both species of snapping turtles prefer temperate climates, but the common snapping turtle can tolerate colder weather than the alligator snapping turtle. Common snappers are concentrated primarily in the eastern United States, though some live as far west as New Mexico and as far north as southern Canada. Alligator snapping turtles live in the warmest parts of the eastern United States, and are heavily concentrated in Georgia and Florida.
Water Preferences
- Snapping turtles prefer still waters like ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. Though they prefer dwelling at the cooler bottoms of water, they frequently move to shallow parts of the water to warm up. Common snappers live in bodies of water that range in temperature from 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of the year, while alligator snapping turtles live in water that typically ranges from 60 to 90 degrees. In captivity, snapping turtles need water temperatures of 75 to 86 degrees. Turtles are more likely to become ill in captivity when kept in cool water.
Sunlight
- Snapping turtles require climates that provide them with easy access to sunlight. Like most turtles, they can't metabolize calcium without access to Vitamin D3 from sunlight. Consequently, they must bask in the sun daily. They may crawl onto land or climb onto floating logs. Frequent exposure to sunlight may also help snapping turtles to warm themselves up before plunging back into cool and deep water.
Brumation
- Most reptiles don't hibernate. Instead, they undergo a metabolic change called brumation. During brumation, the animal's metabolism slows down and they stop eating. Both alligator and common snapping turtles brumate when the temperature drops below 40 to 50 degrees. Some turtles leave water and burrow into moist leaves, moss and sand. Other turtles dig into the bottom of lakes. Turtles can't breathe underwater and must come up frequently for air. During brumation, however, they need to come up much less frequently and may emerge only every few days.

Animals & Science