Snapping turtles are terrestrial and freshwater turtles. There are muddy brownish and have a primitive appearing bumpy shell. The back section of the shell is serrated and the bottom part is smaller as compared to most other kinds of turtles.

It is believed that snapping turtles are named thus because they snap in order to protect themselves. The shell is comparatively smaller and hence they cannot complete enter into the shell to protect themselves; their long tail and forelegs and hind legs cannot fit inside the shell all at once. Hence they snap as a defense mechanism.

It may be noted that snapping turtles are shy and they typically do not bother anyone, unless they feel threatened or they are approached in some way.

The size of an adult snapping turtle ranges from 9 to 16 inches. The head is triangular and they have sharp and string jaws. They however do not have fangs or teeth, by have the capacity to break the skin and occasionally even cut the toes and fingers of humans.

Snapping Turtle Bite: Some aspects

As per a 2002 study done by the Journal of Evolutionary Biology, the real jaw strength of a snapping turtle bite was measured around 208 to 226 newtons by force. The average bite of humans typically registers jaw force and strength of around 300 to 700 newtons when the molars are used.

Snapping turtles tend to travel long distances to secure a good spot for nesting during the nesting season, which is from early to mid summers. The turtles may travel alongside roads. They like areas with sand and gravelly soil for nesting purposes and hence often tend to nest on the sides of roads.

The population of snapping turtles is declining. They have not been declared as an endangered or threatened species, but have been designated under ‘special concern’ category. The death of even one female nesting snapping turtle does have a negative effect on the population of the species. The death of one female nesting turtle can be compared to 1400 turtle eggs.

If you come across a snapping turtle in nature, then do not take keep in an aquarium or take them home. Leave it alone in nature. If you find one on the road, then use a blanket, or car mat, or a shovel to gently push them off the road. Do not hold the turtle by the sides or from the front, but gently prod them from the hind quarters or shovel them off the road. The shell is part of the vertebrae, hence never pick them up by their tail as it can result in minor injuries or break their back.

The best practice is to push the turtle in the direction that it is heading, as it was already moving in that direction in the first place.

Symptom

A few common symptoms of a snapping turtle bite are as follows:

• Patients may experience pain and swelling around the bitten site and it may become reddish and inflamed.
• Snapping turtle bite can occur as a large bite mark with torn skin and oozing of blood from the resultant wound, or it may just be a minor bruise
• The turtle usually bites the toes or the fingers. However, on occasions the turtle may bite the face if it is held very close to the mouth or face.
• The wound may be susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. Salmonella are present inside the mouth and on the skin of snapping turtles. These pathogens can enter the wound when the animal bites.
• Bacterial infections of snapping turtle bite may be accompanied by symptoms like headache, fever, intense pain at bite site, and oozing of pus.

Treatment of snapping turtle bite

Listed below are some treatment options for snapping turtle bite:

• In case the turtle has not removed its grip on the fingers or other body areas of the patient, then resist the urge to pull it off as it can cause additional damage to the skin. It will eventually relax its jaws and release the hold after some time. It may be noted that their jaws contract and removing them can be very difficult after they are dead.
• Once the turtle has released its hold, then use a clean cloth or gauze to clean the bite site. After that, take some water and cleanse and rinse the area.
• Verify whether the bite has caused a deep wound or a superficial bruise or tear on skin.
• Use a disinfectant lotion and again clean the wound. Then apply antibacterial ointment on the snapping turtle bite site. Then use sterilized gauze and bandage the area.
• Once the initial home care is done, visit a doctor for further tests, medications if needed, and a tetanus shot.