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Common Snapping Turtle vs. Blanding's Turtle

The shell pattern: Common Snapping Turtle — plain, no pattern; Blanding's Turtle — many small yellow flecks. The head marks: Common Snapping Turtle — plain; Blanding's Turtle — a bright yellow chin and throat. The underside: Common Snapping Turtle — small, cross-shaped, lots of skin showing; Blanding's Turtle — hinged across the middle — it can close up. The shell height: Common Snapping Turtle — low and fairly flat; Blanding's Turtle — high and domed, like a helmet.

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Common Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Blanding's Turtle

Emydoidea blandingii
Common Snapping Turtle vs. Blanding's Turtle: comparison sheet with the differences marked

Photographs via iNaturalist under Creative Commons licences; the photographers are credited on the sheet.

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