<P> Common habitats are shallow ponds or streams . Some may inhabit brackish environments, such as estuaries . Common snapping turtles sometimes bask--though rarely observed--by floating on the surface with only their carapaces exposed, though in the northern parts of their range, they also readily bask on fallen logs in early spring . In shallow waters, common snapping turtles may lie beneath a muddy bottom with only their heads exposed, stretching their long necks to the surface for an occasional breath (their nostrils are positioned on the very tip of the snout, effectively functioning as snorkels). Snapping turtles consume both plant and animal matter, and are important aquatic scavengers, but they are also active hunters that prey on anything they can swallow, including many invertebrates, fish, frogs, reptiles (including snakes and smaller turtles), unwary birds, and small mammals . In some areas, adult snapping turtles can be incidentally detrimental to breeding waterfowl, as they will occasionally take ducklings and goslings but their effect on such prey is frequently exaggerated . </P> <P> Common snapping turtles have few predators when older, but eggs are subject to predation by crows, mink, skunks, foxes, and raccoons . As hatchlings and juveniles, most of the same predators will attack them as well as herons (mostly great blue herons), bitterns, hawks, owls, fishers, bullfrogs, large fish, and snakes . There are records during winter in Canada of hibernating adult common snapping turtles being ambushed and preyed on by northern river otters . Other natural predators which have reportedly preyed on adults include coyotes, black bears, alligators and their larger cousins, alligator snapping turtles . Large, old male snapping turtles have very few natural threats due to their formidable size and defenses, and tend to have a very low annual mortality rate . </P> <P> These turtles travel extensively over land to reach new habitats or to lay eggs . Pollution, habitat destruction, food scarcity, overcrowding, and other factors drive snappers to move; it is quite common to find them traveling far from the nearest water source . Experimental data supports the idea that snapping turtles can sense the Earth's magnetic field, which could also be used for such movements (together with a variety of other possible orientation cues). This species mates from April through November, with their peak laying season in June and July . The female can hold sperm for several seasons, using it as necessary . Females travel over land to find sandy soil in which to lay their eggs, often some distance from the water . After digging a hole, the female typically deposits 25 to 80 eggs each year, guiding them into the nest with her hind feet and covering them with sand for incubation and protection . Incubation time is temperature - dependent, ranging from 9 to 18 weeks . In cooler climates, hatchlings overwinter in the nest . The common snapping turtle is remarkably cold - tolerant; radiotelemetry studies have shown some individuals do not hibernate, but remain active under the ice during the winter . Hibernating snapping turtles do not breathe for, in the northern part of their range, more than six months since ice covers their hibernating site . These turtles can get oxygen by pushing their head out of the mud and allowing gas exchange to take place through the membranes of their mouth and throat . This is known as extrapulmonary respiration . If they cannot get enough oxygen through this method they start to utilize anaerobic pathways, burning sugars and fats without the use of oxygen . The metabolic by - products from this process are acidic and create very undesirable side effects by spring, which are known as oxygen debt . Although designated as "least concern" on the IUCN redlist, the species has been designated in the Canadian part of its range as "Special Concern" due to its life history being sensitive to disruption by anthropogenic activity . </P> <P> Currently, no subspecies of the common snapping turtle are recognized . The former subspecies osceola is currently considered a synonym of serpentina, while the other former subspecies Chelydra rossignonii and Chelydra acutirostris are both recognized as full species . </P>

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