Alligator Snapping Turtle

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…

consume amphibians (primarily frogs), crustaceans (mainly crayfish), small mammals, reptiles, birds, and fruits. One study that was conducted by the Southwestern Association of Naturalists looked at the predation on alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) by river otters. This study was conducted in Oklahoma. Two juvenile alligator snapping turtle carcasses were found in the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. The first was a female that had been head started in captivity and…

Have you ever wondered what are the similarities and differences between an alligator snapping turtle and an american alligator? They have similar diets,traits,and a habitat crave for freshwater. Although, there also many differences between the two. For example, both reptiles have a way of protecting themselves, but each animal has a different trait that does just that. …

Alligators vs. Crocodiles Have you ever looked at a swamp and wonder if it was a crocodile you were observing or an alligator? If so then this essay will show you many differences to tell which is which it will also tell you various various similarities to why people mistake them for one another. They both have a lot of similar features and actions like rough skin and have some differences to help you tell you which you are looking at like most alligators have round snouts and crocodiles have…

This Washington Post article by Amy Wang attempts to illustrate that, contrary to popular belief, American alligators actually feed on animals such as sharks and stingrays. It was previously believed that American alligators constrain themselves to freshwater prey such as fish. However, James Nifong led a study that proved that these alligators venture out to prey on other marine animals. Through his study, James Nifong demonstrated the importance of questioning ideas in order to discover new…

Alligators are such an important part of the identity of people living in Louisiana, that they have actually become a symbol of the state. The American Alligator was voted the state reptile of Louisiana in 1983. Alligators are so well liked that there is an Alligator Festival in Luling, Louisiana. Arts and crafts, live music, and thrill rides are available.Alligators are native to Louisiana. They can be found throughout the state living in swamps, rivers, and lakes. Louisiana has a population…

Crocodiles Vs Alligators According to the National Park Service crocodiles and alligators belong to a group of reptiles called crocodilians, which are the largest of the living reptiles. Crocodiles and alligators are often mistaken for one another, because of their vast amount of similarities. How do people tell them apart? Crocodiles are considered an endangered species. They live in fresh or brackish water. Such as river estuaries, coastal lagoons, and mangrove swamps. The crocodile is…

occurring off the coasts of Florida and Georgia: American alligators are eating sharks and stingrays, unusual prey for the species to eat. Wang goes on to describe the methods by which researchers are studying the diets of the alligators (by pumping their stomachs) and some of the details possibly contributing to the reason why the species is beginning to go out of the freshwater habitats in which alligators naturally live into the salt water to hunt for sharks and stingrays. Many of the…

Again he was relieved to find that Pablo was still asleep because he caused so much trouble for him. The thing that Diego hated most about Pablo is that he thought that he was the best snake in the Amazon, so he bullies every snake, with an exception for his friends. The one thing Pablo was afraid of, however, was the fearsome alligators who lived in the regional river. The reason for this is because the alligators had big sharp teeth, scary green skin, strong jaws and a big, long body compared…

ollectively known as “leaf turtles,” the species names in the following list demonstrate one of the weaknesses of common names. In both appearance and range, these species are diverse even as they are all native to Asia: 1. Cyclemys dentata (Asian leaf turtle, aka Brown stream terrapin); 2. Cyclemys tcheponensis (Stripe-necked leaf turtle); 3. Geoemyda spengleri (Black-breasted leaf turtle or Chinese leaf turtle, aka Vietnamese Wood Turtle); 4. Mauremys (Annamemys) annamensis (Vietnamese or…