Thursday, April 21, 2011

Snappers, Coots and Dragons


The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle. Common snappers are noted for their belligerent disposition when out of the water, their powerful beak-like jaws, and their highly mobile head and neck. Today's specimen was quite cooperative and allowed me some time with him/her. The American Coot (Fulica Americana), inhabiting wetlands and open water bodies. This one was a loner as far as I could tell, no mate or fellow companions. Dragonflies (Anisoptera) are valuable predators that eat mosquitoes, flies, ants and very rarely butterflies. They are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands because their larvae, known as “nymphs”, are aquatic. Here mating dragonflies have latched on to each other demonstrating their method of reproduction.  

Snapping Turtle

American Coot
Dragonflies


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