Male larger than female. Chiefly riverine, but also oxbow lakes, cypress swamps, and canals. Wormlike projection on floor of mouth effectively lures fish within range of jaws. Eats almost anything it can catch, including other turtles. Its eggs and young are eaten by a variety of predators including raccoons, skunks, otters, and fish.
Humans are chief predator of large adults.
Large female captured in Union County in late June contained 32 spherical eggs, the largest of which was 35 mm diameter. Gaping jaws and strongly hooked beak of enraged adult are efficient deterrents to most potential predators. Usually killed and eaten or displayed as oddity when found.