One of the six Families of turtles found in Canada. There are only two species in this small group. Snapping turtles have a hooked upper jaw, well-developed claws and a long saw-toothed tail. The only species in Canada is the Common Snapping Turtle.

Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) are more formally referred to as Common Snapping Turtles when distinguishing them from their larger cousins (Macrochelys), and are popularly nicknamed "snappers." They are large freshwater turtles of the family Chelydridae, ranging from southeastern Canada west to the Rocky Mountains (and beyond, where introduced), and south through Mexico to Ecuador.