Alligator Snapping Turtle Information

Appearance

• The alligator snapping turtle is the latest freshwater turtle in the United States and is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world. The shells of adult males typically measure around 26 inches in length, and they can weigh over 200 pounds. Females are the smaller of the species and they usually weigh closer to 50 pounds. The species is notable for its shell, which unlike other snapping turtles is spiked and ridged. The alligator snapping turtle, like most other turtles, has an exceptionally long lifespan. Both in the wild and in captivity they have been observed as living for close to 100 years.

Prey

• The primary prey for the alligator snapping turtle is live fish, which they hunt by resting on the bottom of a lake or river and laying motionless with their mouth open. They may also eat rodents, small reptiles and armadillos.The use their bright red tongues as lures, exposing them to attract fish that think the small piece of flesh is actually a worm. Once a fish's interest is peak, the turtle snaps its jaws shut, usually killing their prey instantly in the process. In the wild, an adult alligator snapping turtle has no natural predators.

Snapping Power

• The jaws of the alligator snapping turtle are exceptionally powerful and are strong enough to break a broomstick in two and even sever human fingers. The animals can also be aggressive and know how to use their jaws as a weapon. According to the California Turtle and Tortoise Club, when cornered, an alligator snapping turtle will not back down from a threat and will adopt a strike-ready pose to defend itself. Once held by humans, they typically do not attempt to strike but they will continue to hold their mouths wide open in case something does cross its path.

Reproduction

• Alligator snapping turtles breed every year in the spring. Their eggs are laid in clutches not far from bodies of water and can number anywhere between eight and 52 eggs. The gestation period for the eggs is approximately 100 to 140 days. Like many other species of turtle, once the mother lays her eggs, she makes no effort at parenting or defending her young. The second a baby turtle emerges from its egg, it is entirely on its own. While adult alligator snapping turtles have no natural predators, the babies of the species are routinely hunted by racoons and predatory fish.

Conservation Status

• While not endangered, populations for alligator snapping turtles have decreased, mainly due to human interaction. People have been known to take the turtles out of their natural habitat and keep them as pets. They have also been harvested and killed for their shells and meat. Steps have been taken to eliminate both these practices. In Louisiana the commercial harvesting of alligator snapping turtles has been illegal since 2004, and in California, it is illegal to import as a pet any turtle species not native to the state.