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Common Snapping Turtle

Common Snapping Turtle line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Common Snapping Turtle illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Common Snapping Turtle was completed on 4.10.2010. While I haven't seen one since I was a kid growing up in the Mid-West I've always liked these turtles. The biggest challenge was the shell, as is often covered by moss and dirt. I managed to find some good reference photos and I believe I got the overall pattern correct. The drawing is based on a photo by Frederic F. Petersen.

Information about the Common Snapping Turtle:

The Common Snapping Turtle is a large freshwater reptile. The shell is generally about 20 inches long and they can grow to weigh up to 75 pounds.. It belongs to the family Chelydridae. It is found in the swamps, ponds, lakes and bogs from southern Canada, down through the United States, Central America and into South America. Their Latin name "serpentina" meaning snake-like, refers to the highly mobile head and neck. These animals are prized for their meat and in many areas are sought after as food.