snapping turtle

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

snap′ping tur′tle, 

1. Reptiles either of two large, edible, freshwater turtles of the family Chelydridae, of North and Central America, having a large head and powerful hooked jaws, esp. the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina. Cf. alligator snapping turtle. 

• 1775–85, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

snapping turtle noun

1. any large aggressive North American river turtle of the family Chelydridae, esp Chelydra serpentina (common snapping turtle), having powerful hooked jaws and a rough shell
   Also called: snapper