Re: Why do snapping turtles stretch their necks high up to breath?

Hi Yasmine -

Well, this was a great question because I didn't know the answer!  I asked 
our resident reptile expert, Dr. Carlos Camp, and his reply is below.  
Thanks for your question!

1.  If it didn't stretch its neck high enough to break the surface, it
would breathe water and drown.
2.  Deep breaths are to conserve energy so it doesn't have to reach for the
surface so often.  This might not seem like a big deal in an aquarium, but
in a pond in which the turtle would have to swim a long distance to the 
surface, this is a big deal.

Sue K.
MadScientist