The largest freshwater turtle in North America — record specimens over 200 pounds and 100+ years old. A prehistoric-looking ambush predator with a worm-like tongue used to lure fish into its jaws.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The alligator snapping turtle is a large species of turtle in the family Chelydridae. They are the largest freshwater turtle in North America. The species is endemic to freshwater habitats in the United States. M. temminckii is one of the heaviest living freshwater turtles in the world. It is often associated with, but not closely related to, the common snapping turtle, which is in the genus Chelydra. The specific epithet temminckii is in honor of Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck.
Source: Wikipedia — Alligator snapping turtle Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Massive prehistoric-looking turtle with spiked shell, beaked jaws, and long muscular tail. Lighter brown to gray.
Similar species. Common Snapping Turtle (smaller, smoother shell). Other turtles much smaller.
Voice. Hisses when threatened.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Fish (primary), other turtles, snakes, frogs, ducklings, carrion.
Behavior. Sit-and-wait ambush predator. Vibrates worm-like tongue lure to attract fish. Among the longest-lived North American freshwater turtles.
§ Range
Southern US in Gulf-draining river systems
§ Habitat
Slow rivers, oxbow lakes, swamps, bayous
§ Threats
Habitat loss, river channelization, dam construction, historic overharvest for soup industry, slow reproduction.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the alligator snapping turtle is currently classified as Vulnerable.
§ What helps
Support river floodplain protection. Don't collect from wild. Report sightings to state wildlife agencies.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Alligator snapping turtle
- www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Macrochelys temminckii
- IUCN Red List · taxon 12589
- iNaturalist · taxon 39831
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Macrochelys temminckii
§ Sources cited
- Turtle Conservation Coalition
- USFWS Alligator Snapping Turtle Recovery
- IUCN Red List 2018
