State wildlife officials want to get a better idea of where snapping turtles may be living in western Montana.
They’re a native species east of the divide. West of the divide, however, snapping turtles are an invasive species.
"They can cause significant harm to our native pond dwelling species like frogs, turtles, snakes, ducks and fish," said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesperson Dillon Tabish.
Tabish says snapping turtles are most likely winding up outside their native ranges after being illegally released as aquarium pets.
Wildlife officials ask the public to report snapping turtle sightings in western Montana to local FWP offices rather than killing them.
Western Montana’s only native turtle species is the painted turtle, which have a bright orange underside and generally don’t grow more than a foot long. Snapping turtles can get much bigger, and they have longer tails and a large head with a distinctive hooked upper beak.
Copyright 2022 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.
