South American Snapping Turtle
Chelydra acutirostris
Silhouette: SeismicShrimp · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassTestudines
- FamilyChelydridae (Snapping Turtles)
- GenusChelydra (Typical Snapping Turtles)
- SpeciesChelydra acutirostris (South American Snapping Turtle)
About the South American Snapping Turtle
The South American snapping turtle (Chelydra acutirostris) is a species of turtle in the family Chelydridae. This species, which is endemic to Central and northwestern South America, was previously considered a subspecies of C. serpentina. Its restricted range in South America reflects its recent arrival there as part of the Great American Interchange.
Chelydra acutirostris is found in Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. No subspecies of C. acutirostris are recognized. On July 9 2026, the South American snapping turtle was evaluated as Near Threatened and its populations are starting to be decreasing by the IUCN Red List. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of South American Snapping Turtle in Bastimentos Island National Marine Park
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Piedras Blancas National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 2 | Arenal Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 3 | Braulio Carrillo National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 4 | Rincón de la Vieja National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 5 | Tenorio Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 6 | Tortuguero National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 7 | Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 8 | Bastimentos Island National Marine Park | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 9 | Cahuita National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 10 | La Amistad International Park (Panama) | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 11 | Manuel Antonio National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |