Common Name: Common Snapping Turtle
Family: Chelydridae (Snapping Turtles)
Genus: Chelydra
Species: serpentina
Observer(s): Lisa Meiers (actual turtle); Noah Charney (tracks)
Notes: Although they aren't seen that often, snapping turtles do live in our little creeks. The zigzag shape on the back of the shell and the long tail in Lisa's photo from 2016 are easy-to-spot characteristics of the species. The tracks on the right are from 2007: It is difficult to make out but the trail of this turtle moving from right to left seems much too large for a box turtle. It looks like the large front and rear feet by Noah's thumb are that of a snapping turtle walking down the creek. (Note there are also raccoon and deer tracks in this photo).