Common Name
common snapping turtle

Iowa Range
throughout Iowa

Habitat
any source of permanent freshwater, prefers mud bottoms and abundant vegetation

Description
The snapping turtle has a massive head and powerful jaws. The carapace, or upper shell, will range in colors from tan to dark brown and will possess three rows of keels and serrated back. The small plastron is unpatterned and cross shaped. The tail is as long as the carapace with saw tooth keels. These turtles can exceed 75lbs in captivity, but wild turtles reach about 45 lbs.