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Common Snapping Turtle vs. River Cooter

The shell pattern: Common Snapping Turtle — plain, no pattern; River Cooter — a pale c-shaped mark or rings on the side plates. The head marks: Common Snapping Turtle — plain; River Cooter — several yellow stripes, no patch. The ridge on the shell: Common Snapping Turtle — three low ridges running lengthwise or no ridge — smooth; River Cooter — no ridge — smooth (these overlap, so it only helps).

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Common Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina

River Cooter

Pseudemys concinna
Common Snapping Turtle vs. River Cooter: comparison sheet with the differences marked

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

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