Length: Up to 19 inches.                                    

Color: Tan, brown, olive, or black.

Habitat: Ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams.

Range: Southern Canada to Central America.

Diet: Aquatic plants and many kinds of animals including fish, frogs, birds, and small mammals.

Notes: They are fearless and will bite people.  When disturbed, it does not hesitate to defend itself, but will strike with amazing speed and force. Because it is a large animal, its powerful jaws are capable of tearing flesh quite badly.  If you approach it on land, it will bite you.  But if you approach it in water, it will mearly swim away.