Alligator Snapping Turtle
Macrochelys temminckii
A massive freshwater turtle of the southeastern United States, found in deep rivers, oxbow lakes, swamps, and reservoirs. It spends much of its time motionless on the bottom, holding its mouth open and using a worm-like tongue lure to draw fish close. Its diet includes fish, frogs, snakes, crayfish, mollusks, carrion, and other small aquatic animals. One notable fact is that it is among the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world and can live for many decades.
- Type
- Water / Shell
- Conservation status
- EN
Growth chain
- Alligator Snapping Turtle Hatchling
- Alligator Snapping Turtle Juvenile
- Alligator Snapping Turtle