Alligator snapping turtle

The Alligator snapping turtle is classified as Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world. It is a larger and less aggressive relative of the Common Snapping Turtle. The epithet temminckii is in honor of Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck. More

Photo: Alligator snapping turtle in grass, mouth open ENLARGEWALLPAPER An alligator snapping turtlePhotograph courtesy Gary M. Stolz/U.S. More

The Alligator Snapping Turtle is characterized by a large, heavy head, and a long, thick shell with three dorsal ridges of large scales (osteoderms) giving it a primitive appearance reminiscent of some of the plated dinosaurs. More

* Alligator Snapping Turtles can get almost as long as 31 inches and can weight up to 250 lb.. * These turtles may live longer than 100 years. More

Alligator Snapping Turtles live in the deep water of large rivers, canals, lakes, swamps, and bayous in the states where they occur. DISTRIBUTION Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri. More

The alligator snapping turtle looks very primitive and has been called the dinosaur of the turtle world. Alligator snapping turtles spend most of their time in the water, and generally only nesting females venture on land. However, males have been known to bask. More

Alligator snapping turtles can live more than 100 years in the wild. Alligator snappers are sedentary creatures, preferring to stay submerged under water for as long as 55 minutes at a time. More

The alligator snapping turtle is an aquatic turtle with a sharp, hooked beak. This turtle spends most of its time in deep water. Its habitat includes sloughs and deep muddy pools of large rivers. More

The shell of an alligator snapping turtle has a series of large ridges, similar to those seen on alligators-hence the name. Because of the ridges, the alligator snapper looks more like a large rock than a turtle. More

* Alligator snapping turtles get their name from the keels on their shells that look like ridges on an alligator’s back. Alligator snapping turtle - Download the Flash plug-in to see the Flash-based content on this site. More

Correct handling of a 45 lb Alligator Snapping Turtle at Austin Reptile Service, in Austin, Texas. Alligator snapping turtles are often captive-bred as pets and are readily available in the exotic animal trade. More

Alligator snapping turtles can spend up to 50 minutes suspended motionless underwater. Usually only females come on land, when laying their eggs. More

The Alligator Snapping Turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. Larger than the Common snapper, it possesses many similar characteristics, such as a large head, a long tail, and a small cross-shaped grayish brown plastron. More

The shell of alligator snapping turtle has three distinctive ridges, while the common snapper's shells are smoother. You can also see the difference in the shape of their heads, as you look at them from above. More

Alligator snapping turtle identification Alligator snapping turtles are very special looking species. They look very prehistoric, even more than the common snappers. More

Alligator snapping turtles typically live about 70 years, but they can potentially live as long as 100 years. Reproduction The alligator snapper mates in early spring in eastern Florida and late spring in the Mississippi Valley. The turtles nest about two months later. More

A startling feature of alligator snapping turtles is their head. It's huge relative to snappers' body size. Covered in ridges, the head looks like it should be on a much larger reptile. Their eyes are small, located on the side of the head just above the upper jaw. More

Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in North America (up to 31.5 in ; 250 lb ). The carapace bears three prominent knobby keels. The head is very large, has a strongly hooked beak, and eyes that open laterally (toward the side of the head). More

The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. These reptiles can grow to be two-and-a-half feet long and weigh more than 200 pounds! These are not turtles to be trifled with. More

The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the world. It lies practically motionless on the bottom of a lake or river. A thick layer of algae grows on its shell to help it blend in with its habitat. More

alligator snapping turtle) fell for his one of his baited hooks set in Kinchafoonee Creek. This particular turtle had a metal tag attached to one of its feet and Mr. More

General:The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. It is a prehistoric-looking turtle with a very large head and powerful jaws. More

Print Alligator Snapping Turtle (font options, pick words for additional puzzles, and more) Quickly Print Quickly print reading comprehension Proofreading Activity Print a proofreading activity - Feedback on Alligator More

* Alligator snapping turtles are native to slow-moving bodies of water in Georgia and the southeastern U.S., with a range extending along the Mississippi River as far north as Iowa. More

unverified reports, the largest alligator snapping turtle ever was caught right here in Kansas, on the Neosho River, and weighed in at over 400 pounds. More

The alligator snapping turtle looks very primitive and has been called the dinosaur of the turtle world. Confusing Species: It is a larger and slightly less aggressive relative of the Common Snapping Turtle. More

Common names

alligator snapping turtle in English - English
Baot-aligator in Breton - brezhoneg
kajmanka supí in Czech - česky
Kajmanka supia in Slovak - slovenčina
Keselyűteknős in Hungarian - Magyar
Macrochelys temminckii in Portuguese - Português
Macrochelys temminckii in Spanish - español
Macroclemys temminckii in Italian - Italiano
ワニガメ in Japanese - 日本語