There are about 55 species, which are divided into two families. They live in Africa, Australia, and South America, mainly in areas south of the equator. Snapping turtles make up a family of large, fresh-water turtles that live only in North America, Central America, and northern South America. There are two species of snappers. The other species, the alligator snapper, lives in the Central and Southeastern United States.
Alligator snappers are the largest turtles of North America, except for sea turtles.
Snapping turtles eat small water animals, such as fish, frogs, insects, snails, and young waterfowl. Snappers have a large head and strong jaws. They may bite fiercely if disturbed. A snapper's small shell does not give much protection, and so it depends on its strong, sharp-edged jaws for defense. Soft-shelled turtles make up a family of 21 species.