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Common Snapping Turtle vs. Eastern Musk Turtle

The head marks: Common Snapping Turtle — plain; Eastern Musk Turtle — two pale stripes, above and below the eye. The shell height: Common Snapping Turtle — low and fairly flat; Eastern Musk Turtle — high and domed, like a helmet. The ridge on the shell: Common Snapping Turtle — three low ridges running lengthwise or no ridge — smooth; Eastern Musk Turtle — no ridge — smooth or one low, smooth ridge (these overlap, so it only helps).

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Common Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Eastern Musk Turtle

Sternotherus odoratus
Common Snapping Turtle vs. Eastern Musk 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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