Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)
It is not closely related to, but is often associated with the common snapping turtle. The largest freshwater turtle in North America, the alligator snapper keeps to primarily southern U.S. fresh water habitats. The alligator snapping turtle is characterized by a large, heavy head, and a long, thick shell with three dorsal ridges of large scales (osteoderms) giving it a primitive appearance reminiscent of some of the plated dinosaurs.
They generally do not grow quite that large—average adult size is around 26 inches shell length with a weight of 175 lb (80 kg). Males are typically larger than females. Alligator snapping turtles can also range in length from 16 to 32 in. (40.4 to 80.8 cm). from 100 to 140 days, and hatchlings emerge in the early fall. Though their potential lifespans in the wild are unknown, alligator snapping turtles are believed to be capable of living to 200 years of age but 80 to 120 is more likely…
(read more: Wikipedia) (photo: Norbert Nagel)
