Size: Carapace 8 to 12 inches in length, can reach up to 19 inches; average weight from 10 to 30 pounds and can reach up to 90 pounds in captivity.

Appearance: Large head with small beady eyes; small, cross-shaped plastron; long tail saw-tooth on upper side; carapace black to brown in color, rough.

Range: Southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico; Atlantic Ocean to the Rockies and introduced further west; Altitude range from sea level to 2000+ feet.

Habitat: Found in almost any permanent body of fresh water and sometimes in brackish water; bury themselves in the mud on the bottom, rarely bask.

Habits: When underwater are inoffensive, but very aggressive on land; omnivorous, eat aquatic invertebrates, small vertebrates, carrion and vegetation; burrow when temperature falls below 15 degrees Celsius.