Chelydridae

/ˌkɛlɪˈdrædi/ noun

Definition

The scientific family name for snapping turtles and alligator snapping turtles, a group of primitive freshwater turtles.

Etymology

Scientific Latin combining the genus name 'Chelydra' with the family suffix '-idae,' established to formally classify this distinct evolutionary family of turtles.

Kelly Says

Chelydridae are considered 'living fossils' because they've remained nearly unchanged for over 200 million years—your ancestors might have seen turtles that looked identical to modern snapping turtles!

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