Real Snapping Turtle Shell

The turtle is considered the oldest of the living reptiles, first evolving around 200 million years ago. The snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, gets his name from the defensive biting snaps it exhibits when threatened. This bite can inflict substantial injuries to the curious predator. The snapping turtle, like all species of turtle, have a modified skeletal structure that includes a boney carapace, or shell, for protection.