Snapping turtles are commonly misunderstood animals that face threats from roads, collection, and habitat loss. Understanding their needs helps ensure their survival.
Snapping turtles face their greatest welfare threats during nesting migrations when females cross roads and are frequently struck by vehicles. Collection for food or pet trade removes slow-reproducing individuals who may have lived decades. Their reputation for aggression when on land — where they cannot retreat into shells — leads to unnecessary killing. As long-lived species with slow reproduction, population losses take generations to recover.