10 Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles

Tuesday, December 30th 2014. | Animals


Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles explain the largest species of the freshwater turtles.  If you are interested to meet this animal, you have to go to the southeastern parts of North America. They live in swamps, canals, lakes, and rivers. Find out more facts about Alligator snapping turtles in the following post below:

Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles 1: the threatened species

The existence of alligator snapping turtles is very prone since they are included as the threatened species. Their species is not endangered, but it might be endangered in the future if the people keep neglecting their existence. The habitat destruction and water pollution decrease the number of the turtles.

Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles 2: weight and length

Let’s find out the weight and length of alligator snapping turtles. The weight can reach 155 till 175 pounds. The length can reach 26 inches. The female is smaller than male.

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles 3: the shell

The shell of alligator snapping turtle is various. It can be in greenish, brown, black, or grey color. When the turtles hide in murky water, the shell is often covered by the algae to give perfect camouflage from the predator.

Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles 4: carapace

You can find 3 ridges on the carapace of the turtles. Moreover, the turtle has large claws, scaly skin, strong jaw and large head.

Alligator Snapping Turtles Image

Alligator Snapping Turtles Image

Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles 5: an ancient species

We can say that alligator snapping turtles are ancient species.  You can compare them with the plated dinosaurs.  They have been on earth for more than 20 million years.

Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles 6: the tongue

The tongue of this turtle is very unique. It is functioned like bate for fish when the turtle moves it. The tongue has pinkish color.

Alligator Snapping Turtles Pic

Alligator Snapping Turtles Pic

Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles 7: food

The main foods for alligator snapping turtles include snails, crayfish, worms, aquatic plants, snakes and frogs. The animal will hunt for food when the night comes.

Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles 8: the natural enemy

There is no natural enemy for alligator snapping turtles because they have very large body. However, the eggs are very prone to be eaten by birds, large fish and raccoons.

Alligator Snapping Turtles

Alligator Snapping Turtles

Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles 9: habitat

Most of the time the turtles will live in the water. The female will only go to the land when they want to locate the eggs. Find out another animal living in water in Abalone facts.

Facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles 10: the spring season

The spring season is very important for alligator snapping turtles for it is their mating time. The females can generate 8 to 52 eggs. They will hatch for 3.5 till 4.5 months.

facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles

facts about Alligator Snapping Turtles

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