Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), the smaller of two seen this weekend.
Note the spotless shell. Compare with another snap seen two years ago in the Discovery Center pond. Much more growth on the shell of that younger specimen. The huge beastie I’ve seen in Prospect Park’s watercourse a few times over the years has also evinced a spotless shell, which I attribute to chorine in the water (yes, it’s tap water). Here’s a little one in the Prospect Pools. Here’s a tiny one I found crossing the road a few years ago in Massachusetts.
Shell length here 6-7″ long. Love the dinosaur thorns on the tail.
Backyard and Beyond 
A few years ago we found an enormous one in Central Park that was walking towards the Meer. I presume she had been nesting in the nearby woods. We were so afraid she’s be hit by bicyclists or prodded at by kids that we very, very, very carefully carried her back to the water.
Oh, my yes, there are some huge ones in Central. Loose dogs another problem…
Fab photo. I can never get the whole beast is focus.
I see some snappers in my Ozark lake. I still swim in the lake.
Their reputation is exaggerated, don’t you think?
Most people, I think, are nature-phobic, at least beyond the Bambi level of appreciation. I suspect snappers are less aggressive than the lore about them, but I still wouldn’t want to tangle with one.
That’s true. to0, the big ones have a lot of snap in those jaws.