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Unlike most other turtles, the alligator snapping turtle is unable to withdraw its head and limbs into its shell. Alligator snapping turtles are often covered in algae, which gives them a greenish appearance. The carapace may be brown, olive green, gray or black in color, while the plastron the underside of the shell is often yellowish brown.
The tail of the alligator snapping turtle is thick, long and powerful. The alligator snapping turtle has a thick neck and large head. Its beak is strongly hooked and has sharp edges. The species is quite capable of biting inquisitive fingers clean off! The hatchlings are similar in appearance to the adults. Male turtles grow to a larger size than the females, and the base of their tails is thicker. Most of the stable alligator snapping turtle populations occur near large bodies of water, in particular those that drain into the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Mississippi River.
The alligator snapping turtle lives in a range of freshwater habitats, including rivers, lakes, canals, wetlands, reservoirs and swamps. The species is more likely to be found in moving water than the common snapping turtle, which is more commonly found in ponds and lakes. A solitary species, the turtle spends most of its life in the deepest parts of its environment, where it conceals itself among objects such submerged logs and roots.
Illinois Natural History Survey herpetologist Chris Phillips called his finding of the turtle, at least 18 years old, a "move in the right direction" in the effort to save the state-endangered species. The discovery was chronicled in an article in this month's Southeastern Naturalist co-authored by Ethan Kessler, a graduate student of natural resources and environmental sciences at the University of Illinois.
Still, both Kessler and Phillips aren't quite sure what exactly the find says about these secretive creatures that have been around for millions of years. Alligator snapping turtles are primarily carnivorous. They eat fish and other aquatic animals, but have also been known to eat small mammals and some vegetation. These turtles are most active at night and will scavenge or hunt for food.
When hunting, these ambush predators stay motionless in the water and reveal the worm-like appendage on their tongues to lure unsuspecting prey. Alligator snapping turtles reach sexual maturity between 11 and 13 years. They tend to mate in early spring. Because they are typically solitary, they may have to travel to find a mate. The male mounts the back of the female and holds her shell with all four feet during copulation.
Females then travel inland to dig nests in the sand. They generally lay only one clutch per year, or possibly one every other year. Clutch sizes range from 10 to 60, and the eggs incubate for about days. In the United States, protections for the alligator snapping turtle vary from state to state, ranging from prohibitions on collecting wild individuals for commercial use and personal use to restrictions on commercial use. The largest threat facing alligator snapping turtles has been uncontrolled wild harvesting for their meat, unique shells and to sell as exotic pets.
Because they are large and easy to capture, the turtles' meat is harvested for consumption in domestic and international markets. It was most popular in the s and s for use in canned soup. Habits and Lifestyle Alligator snapping turtles spend most of their lives in water and only nesting females venture onto open land.
Group name. Aquatic, Precocial. Seasonal behavior. Not a migrant, Hibernating. Diet and Nutrition Alligator snapping turtles are almost entirely carnivorous. Diet Carnivore, Piscivores, Scavenger.
Vulnerable VU. Population Population threats The main threats to Alligator snapping turtles include collection for the exotic pet trade, overharvesting for their meat, pollution and habitat destruction. Ecological niche Alligator snapping turtles are very important as they are main predators and scavengers in their environment. References 1. Reptiles of United States. Related Animals African Spurred Tortoise. Aldabra Giant Tortoise.
Gopher Tortoise. Leopard Tortoise. Radiated Tortoise.
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