Species: Chelydra serpentina
Encyclopedia of Puget Sound
Shell hard, often with attached mud or algae; rear edge of upper shell saw-toothed; tail as long as or longer than carapace, with crest of large bony scales; head large, with hooked jaws; lower shell relatively small, composed of nine shields; limbs strong, with webbed toes and strong claws; maximum upper shell length nearly 50 cm, but usually less than 36 cm. Adult: upper shell relatively smooth, longitudinal ridges not very prominent. Mature male: anal opening farther from base of tail than in female, usually posterior to rear edge of carapace (under rear edge in female); grows to larger size than female. Juvenile: carapace with three longitudinal ridges. Hatchling: carapace rough, with conspicuous ridges, producing a cryptic dead-leaf-like appearance. Eggs: shell moderately pliable, somewhat brittle, with visible pores; 23-35 mm x 22-31 mm (average 28 mm x 27 mm). Source: Hammerson (1999).
Classification
Chelonia
Cryptodeira
Chelydridae
Chelydra
NatureServe
Classification
Ecology and Life History
Shell hard, often with attached mud or algae; rear edge of upper shell saw-toothed; tail as long as or longer than carapace, with crest of large bony scales; head large, with hooked jaws; lower shell relatively small, composed of nine shields; limbs strong, with webbed toes and strong claws; maximum upper shell length nearly 50 cm, but usually less than 36 cm. Adult: upper shell relatively smooth, longitudinal ridges not very prominent. Mature male: anal opening farther from base of tail than in female, usually posterior to rear edge of carapace (under rear edge in female); grows to larger size than female. Juvenile: carapace with three longitudinal ridges. Hatchling: carapace rough, with conspicuous ridges, producing a cryptic dead-leaf-like appearance. Eggs: shell moderately pliable, somewhat brittle, with visible pores; 23-35 mm x 22-31 mm (average 28 mm x 27 mm). Source: Hammerson (1999).
Conservation Status
SC - Special Concern - 2008-11-28