Our second match of round two pits one of last year’s final four participants against a young upstart from amphibia.
The Common Snapping Turtle (Celydra serpentina) eased past the wood frog in round one. One of the most common species that we help rescue through our turtle hotline, as you can tell from the name, the snapping turtle has a bite to be reckoned with. Our own molars can deliver more force (1,300 Newtons), but with its bite force (209 Newtons) focused over a smaller area, it can still do some damage, so give these creatures their space. Check out this page for some more fascinating snapping turtle facts!
The Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) scored a huge upset victory over its Final Four opponent, the spring peeper, strutting to victory with a 10-1 decision. This salamander has been the focus of much research and monitoring at rare in the past, as their presence indicates a healthy local ecosystem. These amphibians grow up underwater, breathing through gills, before transforming into land-walking, lung-bearing adults. Females return to the water to lay up to 200 eggs for the next generation, protecting them from predators in a jelly-like coating (learn more about these fascinating creatures here).
In this match-up, the spotted salamander faces yet another Final Four participant from last year, but having already toppled the spring peeper, maybe it’s well placed to take out the common snapping turtle as well and proceed to the quarterfinals. Can this creature go all the way? That depends entirely on how you vote, so cast your vote below: