Storm Snapper

Storm Snappers are a species of freshwater, snapping turtle characterized by horned faces and vicious bites. Males (also known as triceraturtles) have an additional, pointy growth on their nose that is reminiscent of a triceratops’; both sexes have two long, pointed horns just behind the eye and on top of the forehead. These pale gray, bony formations are used for defense, offense, and mating rituals, only ceasing to grow when the turtle dies. Storm Snapper shells are a deep brown ridged by lighter brown swirls and vertical striations on the rim. The turtle’s four feet are stubbed in nails the same pale gray as their horns and are used to dig nests; the bumpy growths on its tail are also the same color and texture. Like most turtles, its wrinkled skin is green-brown with a lighter-toned underside. Storm Snappers have a round, puggish nose in front of small, circular eyes—black, flecked with yellow and green. Out of the water, they have combative stances and stretchy, flexible necks, which end in a beak-like maw. The creatures can weigh up to 36 lbs and grow 25 in long from snout to tail, with males being larger on average; these sturdy beasts can live up to 110 years. Daily Life and Development Storm Snappers can be found in ponds or shallow streams, their heads or shells poking out of the murky water or their forms atop a floating log. Unable to breathe underwater, their noses frequently break surface, before quickly submerging. They act as hunters and scavengers, eating almost anything in their path: amphibians, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, birds, small mammals, aquatic/semi-aquatic vegetation, and dead carcasses in or near the water. Storm Snappers forage for food whenever they are hungry, being both nocturnal and diurnal depending on their mood or needs. Despite their appearance, Storm Snappers do not like confrontation. They only attack organisms they know they can easily dominate for food and attempt to scare all others away by hissing, charging; when targeted by predators, they attempt to hide beneath a blanket of sediment or behind thick foliage. Underwater, the turtles are curious, bumping into unfamiliar objects and creatures with their snouts and swimming away after their interest has been satiated. However, out of the water, they are more aggressive—especially large, adult males— striking out defensively when near oddities or others. When severely threatened, Storm Snappers release a pungent odor from glands behind the top of their back legs and breathe loudly; if captured, it will thrash around violently and attempt to bite, utilizing its long neck. As its legs cannot move in a swiping motion, their claws are useless in combat. Mating season takes place during spring. Elaborate mating rituals are performed by both sexes in large groups. Males headbutt each other, with the strongest separating from the other males; females approach the dominant male, necks outstretched and wavering, tail slapping the ground, and legs moving one step left, one step right. With his horns, the male will flip over turtles he does not approve of; subordinate males then compete for these unwanted females. After mating occurs, all turtles go their separate ways until next season; females do not need to participate in mating for three consecutive seasons to produce fertilized eggs. Nests are dug by females in summer, early in the morning or late at night; the pit is then filled with 20 - 55 brown-speckled, white eggs ( about 1 in in diameter each), which are guided by the female’s back legs into a safe position. Most females prefer making nests in sandy soil, but if good locations in these regions cannot be found or are crowded, they settle elsewhere. Storm Snapper young are covered with dirt and sand, priming them for a lengthy incubation. Mothers do not protect their young after laying. Once spring arrives, those that have survived break free from their round shells; many of these eggs—as well as juvenile hatchlings—are lost to predation or from the careless movement of other organisms. At the age of 20 - 25, the turtles reach maturity and may produce offspring of their own. Storm Snappers are most known for their strange bite. When biting defensively, they hold their bite until they hear the sound of thunder. The loud, booming sound triggers the creature to release, though the reason why is unknown. When hunting after this unusual animal, be careful when handling it: if the turtle is picked up by the tail, its vertebral column could be damaged; if it is drug by the tail, wounds could be inflicted on its belly, which can easily become infected, killing the creature; if the turtle is wrongfully picked up by the shell, it will bite. A Storm Snapper’s bite is extremely painful and prone to infection; if thunder is not heard (naturally or artificially), the turtle will remain clinched until the area it is biting is removed, the turtle’s head is cut off, or it dies from starvation/dehydration. The safest and best way to pick up one of these animals is to pick them up by the carapace above the back legs or with a blanket.