A snapper is a type of fish found in warm ocean waters. Snappers have sharp teeth and strong jaws they use to catch smaller fish, crabs, and shrimp. Red snapper, one of the most popular types, appears on restaurant menus across America because of its mild, sweet flavor and firm white meat.

Different species of snappers live in different parts of the world. The yellowtail snapper swims around coral reefs in the Caribbean, while mangrove snappers hide among the tangled roots where rivers meet the ocean. Fishers prize snappers both for sport and for food. A large red snapper can weigh over 50 pounds and live for decades.

The word snapper also describes something that snaps. A snapping turtle might be called a snapper because of its powerful, quick bite. In Australia, people sometimes call small children “little snappers” as a playful nickname. If you catch someone taking a photograph, you might call them a snapper too, since cameras can make a snapping sound when they take a picture.