Distribution: The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is found from northern Florida to southern Georgia and through the Gulf states into Texas (Nichols, M. 2007). It can also be found in more northern areas such as Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana; there have also been sighting as far west as California and Arizona. The alligator snapping turtle is confined to river systems in the United States that drain into the Gulf of Mexico (Clarke 1981). The most common sightings include the Mississippi River, the San Antonio River, the Suwannee River, and the Tennessee River. The alligator snapping turtle can be found in rivers, lakes, backwater swamps, and periodically in brackish water systems (mixture of fresh and salt water) from Florida
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Male alligator snapping turtles can reach lengths of 29 inches (73.7 centimeters) and 249 pounds (112.9 kilograms), while females can reach lengths of 22 inches (55.9 centimeters) and 62 pounds (28.1 kilograms) (Ewert et al. 2006, Pritchard 2006). They are usually identified by three spine-like ridges that run along the back of their shell. On one end of the shell lies a large rough crown with a set of powerful jaws. Its eyes are located on either side of the turtle’s hooked beak. On the other side of the shell lies a long dinosaur-like tail. For movement on land and in water the alligator snapper has four legs. Each leg is equipped by oversized razor sharp claws. These claws give the alligator snapper more traction on land and fast movements in the water. The carapace of the turtle ranges from a grey-brown hue to a brown-green one, this helps to provide camouflage from prey as it waits in the mud. Inside its mouth, the alligator snapping turtle hides a clever trick to lure prey straight into their mouth. On the upper side of the tongue is a small pink appendage resembling a worm. When active the appendage fills with blood and changes its color to a bright red-pink color, while not active it blends in with the grey color of the tongue (Encyclopedia of life, 2002). Overall the alligator snapping turtle is set apart from other snappers by its primitive and prehistoric
Male alligator snapping turtles can reach lengths of 29 inches (73.7 centimeters) and 249 pounds (112.9 kilograms), while females can reach lengths of 22 inches (55.9 centimeters) and 62 pounds (28.1 kilograms) (Ewert et al. 2006, Pritchard 2006). They are usually identified by three spine-like ridges that run along the back of their shell. On one end of the shell lies a large rough crown with a set of powerful jaws. Its eyes are located on either side of the turtle’s hooked beak. On the other side of the shell lies a long dinosaur-like tail. For movement on land and in water the alligator snapper has four legs. Each leg is equipped by oversized razor sharp claws. These claws give the alligator snapper more traction on land and fast movements in the water. The carapace of the turtle ranges from a grey-brown hue to a brown-green one, this helps to provide camouflage from prey as it waits in the mud. Inside its mouth, the alligator snapping turtle hides a clever trick to lure prey straight into their mouth. On the upper side of the tongue is a small pink appendage resembling a worm. When active the appendage fills with blood and changes its color to a bright red-pink color, while not active it blends in with the grey color of the tongue (Encyclopedia of life, 2002). Overall the alligator snapping turtle is set apart from other snappers by its primitive and prehistoric