Alligator Snapping Turtle

a snapping turtle lays in shingle underwater

Alligator Snapping Turtle Natural History

Size

The Alligator Snapping Turtle’s shell can grow to between 35-81cm long, their tails can be almost as long as their shell and can reach lengths up to 5 feet. They can weigh between 8.4-80kg.

Habitat and Distribution

This is a large turtle that lives on the ground and in the water and is native to North America. They live in freshwater habitats including lakes, rivers, marshes, wetlands and swamps.

Age

The lifespan of an Alligator Snapping Turtle in the wild is around 45 years old. In captivity, they can live up to 70 years old.

Diet

Alligator Snapping Turtles are almost entirely carnivorous. They eat fish, amphibians as well as other aquatic animals, small mammals, water birds and vegetation.

Groups and Breeding

A female Alligator Snapping Turtle’s gestation period ranges from 100-140 days and will build a nest approximately 45 metres away from the water’s edge where 10-50 eggs are laid. After incubation, the hatchlings are independent from birth. The sex of the offspring is temperature dependent; the eggs at the bottom of the nest are typically colder and are therefore male. Whereas the eggs near the top of the nest are warmer and therefore are female when they hatch. They are sexually mature around 12 years of age.

Threats

The Alligator Snapping Turtle is often hunted for the exotic pet trade and its meat. It is also under threat from pollution and habitat loss. The IUCN Red List classes this species as Vulnerable.

Interesting Facts

The Alligator Snapping Turtle is the largest species of turtle in the family, Chelydridae, and is the heaviest freshwater turtle in the world. They get their name from their extremely powerful jaws and the ridges on their skin are similar to the ridges on an alligator. These turtles can hold their breath for 40-50 minutes and have been known to hibernate at the bottom of ponds and lakes.