Snapping turtles are not the kind of animal that most people think of as “cute” with their funnel-shaped noses, thick, warty bodies, and armored tails. Box turtles are cute. Sea turtles are adorable.

The snapping turtle, famous for its powerful jaws and prehistoric look, is a true living fossil that has inhabited North America for over 90 million years. While often feared, these turtles are ...