White-throated Snapping Turtle

The carapace of this species is broadly oval, but is blunt at the front. In younger animals, it has keeled scutes along the back. The carapace is dark brown to black in color, smooth with no growth annuli and generally lackluster. The plastron is heavily stained in adults, appearing black over the true base color of yellow to cream. The plastron is narrow compared to the carapace. The head is large and robust with a complete head shield that does not approach the ears. The tomial sheath is large, and inside an alveolar ridge is distinct and well formed. The head is typically dark brown to grey above and, in females, is usually blotched with cream to white in the throat region.

The specific name, albagula, is derived from the Latin adjective alba meaning white and the noun gula for throat, both of which are feminine. Hence, the name means "white-throated" and refers to the white or cream throat commonly seen in adult females of this species.