# Alligator Snapping Turtle (*Macrochelys temminckii*) The Alligator Snapping Turtle is a big turtle with a mouth that looks like an alligator! They are masters of camouflage. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Rivers and lakes - **Also known as:** Alligator Turtle ![Alligator Snapping Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426636/objects/5721.jpg) ## Appearance The Alligator Snapping Turtle has a prehistoric look with a heavily ridged, dark brown or black shell, often covered in algae for camouflage. Its large, triangular head features a powerful, hooked beak and small, beady eyes. Its rugged skin is typically grey-brown. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Chelydridae - **Genus:** Macrochelys ## Interesting facts - Some wild individuals have been known to live for over 70 years! - Their unique shell has three ridged keels, like a dinosaur's back! - They are the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world! - They can stay perfectly still for hours, waiting patiently for a meal! ## Special abilities - **Lure Master:** Alligator Snapping Turtle can wiggle a worm-like lure on its tongue to attract unsuspecting fish directly into its powerful jaws. - **Power Jaw:** Alligator Snapping Turtle has an incredibly strong bite force that helps them crush the shells of mollusks and even small bones with ease. - **Camouflage Expert:** Alligator Snapping Turtle can blend perfectly with muddy riverbeds, using its rough shell and skin to disappear from view. - **Underwater Breather:** Alligator Snapping Turtle can absorb oxygen through its skin and throat, allowing them to stay submerged for hours. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 35-80 cm - **Weight:** 20-100 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-70 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-50 - **Incubation:** 60-120 days - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m ## Diet & Feeding An opportunistic hunter, eating fish, amphibians, and other small animals that come too close. - **Age differences:** Younger turtles eat more insects and smaller invertebrates, while adults consume larger prey. - **Primary Foods:** fish, amphibians, snakes, mollusks, crustaceans, carrion - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — A common fish prey in its habitat. - **Eats:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Often ambushed near water's edge. - **Eats:** [Asian Clam](https://www.snappit.app/explore/asian-clam) (*Corbicula fluminea*) — Crushed by its powerful jaws. - **Eaten by:** [American Alligator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Large alligators may prey on juvenile turtles. - **Eats:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons are known predators of turtle eggs. ## Traits - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Alligator Snapping Turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Alligator Snapping Turtle? 35-80 cm ### How much does Alligator Snapping Turtle weigh? 20-100 kg ### How long does Alligator Snapping Turtle live? 30-70 years ### How fast can Alligator Snapping Turtle move? 2 km/h ### What does Alligator Snapping Turtle eat? An opportunistic hunter, eating fish, amphibians, and other small animals that come too close. ### How fast can Alligator Snapping Turtle swim? 0.5 km/h ### Where is Alligator Snapping Turtle usually found? Rivers and lakes ## Where to spot - [Peoria Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/peoria-zoo) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Shedd Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shedd-aquarium) — Illinois, US · Aquarium - [David Traylor Zoo of Emporia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/david-traylor-zoo-of-emporia) — Kansas, US · Zoo - [Shedd Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shedd-aquarium-illinois) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Oklahoma Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oklahoma-aquarium) — Oklahoma, US · Zoo - [Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cincinnati-zoo-and-botanical-garden) — Ohio, US · Zoo [View all places to see Alligator Snapping Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/alligator-snapping-turtle) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Alligator Snapping Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alligator-snapping-turtle)