Macrochelys

Members of this genus got their names because of their infamous bite strength and aggression. Their bites are rapid and brutal, creating the sound of a “Snap,” hence the ‘snapping turtles.’

The only time you’re likely to see a snapping turtle on land is when a female is laying eggs. They tend to live by themselves. These turtles do most of their hunting at night, although they sometimes forage during the day.

Most of the food that snapping turtles eat is meat. Fish, mollusks, carrion, amphibians, and frogs make up the bulk of their natural diet. Besides other turtles, snakes, crayfish, worms, water birds, aquatic vegetation, and alligators are among their favorite foods.