The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is the largest freshwater
turtle in North America. It is a larger and slightly less aggressive relative of the Common Snapping Turtle.
Alligator snapping turtles are found predominantly in the
watershed of the Mississippi River in the United States, ranging through the states of Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and in southeastern Iowa, western Tennessee, western Kentucky, eastern Texas, northwestern and southwestern Georgia, and northern Florida. They are also found in the Missouri River at least as far north as the Gavins Point Dam at Yankton, South Dakota. Although rare further north, the alligator snapping turtle has been found as far north
as the southern tip of Ontario in Canada. There is a population of them within a swamp near Glencoe, Ontario. It was confirmed by researchers from the University of Western Ontario who investigated claims of a dead 48 inch/125 cm (nose to tail) turtle that was hit during the evening on a highway near the swamp. They were confirmed to be alligator snapping turtles, with at least eight that are fully mature
in the relatively small swamp and creek.
Like
the common snapping turtle, the alligator snapping turtle lives in a primarily aquatic environment, such as slow-moving streams,
lakes, or swamps. Typically only nesting females will venture onto land. Alligator snappers are capable of staying submerged
for as long as 50 minutes at a time.
dispaying its trademark lure
Enter content here
The Alligator Snapping Turtle
A living dinosaur
Alligator Snappers in Texas
Recently on a fishing trip to Lake O the Pines in east Texas, Shirley Adams and
her husband Ricky, a avid outdoorsman were checking ther trot lines and spotted something huge on it! They made there
way to it and Shirley took these amazing photos of a alligator snapping turtle trapped on thier line. They estimated
the turtle to be about 100 lbs. Shirley got te pictures and Rickey released the reptile back to its home in Texas.
Great job guys!
