Alligator Snapping Turtle
Facts
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Location: North American freshwater
Lifespan: 20 to 70 years in captivity. 80 to 120 years in wild
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Location: North American freshwater
Lifespan: 20 to 70 years in captivity. 80 to 120 years in wild
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Chelydridae
Genus: Macrochelys
Species: M. temminckii
Binomial name: Macrochelys temminckii
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Chelydridae
Genus: Macrochelys
Species: M. temminckii
Binomial name: Macrochelys temminckii
Description
Length: 16 to 32 in (40.4 80.8)
Other: 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. They can be immediately distinguished from the Common Snapping Turtle by the three distinct rows of spikes and raised plates on the carapace, whereas the common snapping turtle has a smoother carapace. They are a solid gray, brown, black, or olive-green in color, and often covered with algae. They have radiating yellow patterns around the eyes, serving to break up the outline of the eye and keep the turtle camouflaged. Their eyes are also surrounded by a star-shaped arrangement of fleshy filamentous "eyelashes."
Length: 16 to 32 in (40.4 80.8)
Other: 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. They can be immediately distinguished from the Common Snapping Turtle by the three distinct rows of spikes and raised plates on the carapace, whereas the common snapping turtle has a smoother carapace. They are a solid gray, brown, black, or olive-green in color, and often covered with algae. They have radiating yellow patterns around the eyes, serving to break up the outline of the eye and keep the turtle camouflaged. Their eyes are also surrounded by a star-shaped arrangement of fleshy filamentous "eyelashes."
Behaviour
The common snapping turtle can be described as highly aggressive when defending itself. Whenever picked up or molested, the snapper shoots its head forward with incredible speed, its mouth wide open. The jaws close with a loud crunch when the neck reaches its full length, and if it happens to grab something it doesn't let go easily. The snapper's bite is strong, and since their jaws are made not to crush but to cut, even a small snapper can deliver a painfull wound. Snapping turtles are not social creatures. Social interactions are limited to aggressive interactions between individuals, usually males. Many individuals can be found within a small range; snapping turtle density is normally related to the amount of available food. Snapping turtles can be very vicious when removed from the water, but they become docile when placed back into the water. Snapping turtles like to bury themselves in mud with only their nostrils and eyes exposed. This burying behavior is used as a means of ambushing prey. Snapping turtles have a small growth on the front of their tongues that resembles a wriggling worm. To capture fish, the snapping turtle opens its mouth to make the "worm" visible. When a fish comes to investigate the lure, the snapping turtle grabs it with its strong jaws.
The common snapping turtle can be described as highly aggressive when defending itself. Whenever picked up or molested, the snapper shoots its head forward with incredible speed, its mouth wide open. The jaws close with a loud crunch when the neck reaches its full length, and if it happens to grab something it doesn't let go easily. The snapper's bite is strong, and since their jaws are made not to crush but to cut, even a small snapper can deliver a painfull wound. Snapping turtles are not social creatures. Social interactions are limited to aggressive interactions between individuals, usually males. Many individuals can be found within a small range; snapping turtle density is normally related to the amount of available food. Snapping turtles can be very vicious when removed from the water, but they become docile when placed back into the water. Snapping turtles like to bury themselves in mud with only their nostrils and eyes exposed. This burying behavior is used as a means of ambushing prey. Snapping turtles have a small growth on the front of their tongues that resembles a wriggling worm. To capture fish, the snapping turtle opens its mouth to make the "worm" visible. When a fish comes to investigate the lure, the snapping turtle grabs it with its strong jaws.
Predators or Prey?
Adult snappers have no natural predators other than humans, who capture them for their meat and shells, and to sell in the exotic animal trade.The Alligator Snapping Turtles prey on fish and any invertebrates or amphibians they can find. The species will even scavenge and feed on carrion.
Adult snappers have no natural predators other than humans, who capture them for their meat and shells, and to sell in the exotic animal trade.The Alligator Snapping Turtles prey on fish and any invertebrates or amphibians they can find. The species will even scavenge and feed on carrion.
Diet
Alligator snappers are opportunistic carnivores more often at a young age, but are also scavengers. Fishermen have glorified the species' ability to catch fish and to deplete fish populations. Minnows are usually the main source of meat for the species at a young age. They will eat almost anything they can catch. Their natural diet consists primarily of fish and dead fish carcasses (usually thrown overboard by fishermen), invertebrates, carrion, and amphibians, but they are also known to eat snakes, and even other turtles. In captivity they may consume almost any kind of meat provided, including beef, chicken and pork although these are not always healthy on a day to day basis. They will refuse to eat if exposed to temperature extremes. Though not a primary food source for them, adult Alligator snappers have been known to kill and eat small alligators that have been confined with, such as in a net, small bog, or poorly planned aquarium display.
Alligator snappers are opportunistic carnivores more often at a young age, but are also scavengers. Fishermen have glorified the species' ability to catch fish and to deplete fish populations. Minnows are usually the main source of meat for the species at a young age. They will eat almost anything they can catch. Their natural diet consists primarily of fish and dead fish carcasses (usually thrown overboard by fishermen), invertebrates, carrion, and amphibians, but they are also known to eat snakes, and even other turtles. In captivity they may consume almost any kind of meat provided, including beef, chicken and pork although these are not always healthy on a day to day basis. They will refuse to eat if exposed to temperature extremes. Though not a primary food source for them, adult Alligator snappers have been known to kill and eat small alligators that have been confined with, such as in a net, small bog, or poorly planned aquarium display.
Habitat
The largest freshwater turtle in North America, the alligator snapper keeps to primarily southern U.S. waters. They are found in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Typically only nesting females will venture onto open land. Due to the exotic pet trade and other factors the species has found its way to Asia and Europe with a breeding/research center found in Japan.
The largest freshwater turtle in North America, the alligator snapper keeps to primarily southern U.S. waters. They are found in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Typically only nesting females will venture onto open land. Due to the exotic pet trade and other factors the species has found its way to Asia and Europe with a breeding/research center found in Japan.
Conservation
The alligator snapping turtle is primarily vulnerable to humans from habitat loss and hunting. Some are hunted for their carapaces; the plastron of the turtle is valued because of its shape as a cross. There are accounts of large (50+ lb) turtles being caught both purposely and accidentally on recreational fishing lines called "trot lines." Abandoned trot lines are thought to be even more dangerous to turtles. Soup made from snapping turtle meat is considered by some to be a delicacy.
This turtle is protected from collection throughout much of its range. The IUCN lists it as a threatened species, and as of June 14, 2006, it was afforded some international protection by being listed as a CITES 3 species (which will put limits on exportation from the United States and all international trade in this species.). The alligator snapping turtle is now endangered in several states, including Illinois. Illinois fishing of snapping turtles is illegal and heavily fined.
The alligator snapping turtle is primarily vulnerable to humans from habitat loss and hunting. Some are hunted for their carapaces; the plastron of the turtle is valued because of its shape as a cross. There are accounts of large (50+ lb) turtles being caught both purposely and accidentally on recreational fishing lines called "trot lines." Abandoned trot lines are thought to be even more dangerous to turtles. Soup made from snapping turtle meat is considered by some to be a delicacy.
This turtle is protected from collection throughout much of its range. The IUCN lists it as a threatened species, and as of June 14, 2006, it was afforded some international protection by being listed as a CITES 3 species (which will put limits on exportation from the United States and all international trade in this species.). The alligator snapping turtle is now endangered in several states, including Illinois. Illinois fishing of snapping turtles is illegal and heavily fined.
Reproduction
Maturity is reached at around 12 years of age. Mating takes place yearly; early spring in the southern part of their total range, and later spring in the north. The female builds a nest and lays a clutch of 10–50 eggs about 2 months later. The gender of the baby alligator snapping turtles depends on the temperature at which the eggs are incubated. Nests are typically excavated at least 50 yards from the water's edge to prevent them from being flooded and drowned. Incubation takes from 100 to 140 days, and hatchlings emerge in the early fall.
Maturity is reached at around 12 years of age. Mating takes place yearly; early spring in the southern part of their total range, and later spring in the north. The female builds a nest and lays a clutch of 10–50 eggs about 2 months later. The gender of the baby alligator snapping turtles depends on the temperature at which the eggs are incubated. Nests are typically excavated at least 50 yards from the water's edge to prevent them from being flooded and drowned. Incubation takes from 100 to 140 days, and hatchlings emerge in the early fall.