Alligator snapping turtle

Alligator snapping turtle

Description

The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America and one of the most prehistoric-looking reptiles alive. Three rows of spiky ridges run down its massive shell, and its powerful hooked beak can deliver a formidable bite. Large males may weigh over 100 kilograms.

Habitat

It lives in deep rivers, lakes, swamps and backwaters of the Mississippi River drainage across the southeastern United States. It spends almost its entire life motionless on the bottom; only egg-laying females regularly come ashore.

Diet

An ambush predator, it lies still on the riverbed with its mouth open, wiggling a pink, worm-like appendage on its tongue to lure fish straight between its jaws. It also eats molluscs, crayfish, other turtles, amphibians and carrion.

Reproduction

Once a year a female climbs onto the bank and lays 10–50 round eggs in a dug nest. The nest temperature determines the hatchlings' sex. After about 100 days tiny young hatch and fend entirely for themselves.

Lifespan

In the wild it lives 20–70 years, and over 100 years under human care. Slow growth and late maturity make it vulnerable to hunting and collection.

Did you know?

Its tongue bears a lure that looks just like a living worm – the turtle literally 'fishes' for prey without moving a muscle.