Animal Behavior: Alligator snapping turtles can be found in rivers, lakes, bayous, and canals in the southeastern United States. Male turtles are larger than the female. These turtles spend most of their lives in water except for when the females trudge inland to nest. Females lay eggs in nests on the ground, usually a safe distance (around 160 feet) from the water. After laying 8-52 eggs in the nest, the female returns to the water. The temperature of the nest determines the sex of the baby turtle. Higher and lower temperatures develop into female turtles and medium temperatures develop into male turtles. Alligator snapping turtles do not show any form of parental care. Young turtles look identical to their parents.

Range: The Alligator Snapping Turtle is a prehistoric looking species of turtle native to fresh water habitats in the United States.

Eating Habits: This turtle has a unique natural lure that it uses to hunt prey for food. The tongue of this turtle, has a bright-red worm shape of flesh on the tip end of it. The turtle lays motionless at the bottom of the river with its mouth open, waiting for curious fish or frog to take the bait. It quickly snaps up anything that comes close to its mouth with a bite force of 1000 lbs. They can bite through any bone.

Conservation Efforts: Alligator snappers have no natural predators other than humans, who capture them for their meat and shells. There is a severe reduction in the population of Alligator Snapping Turtles due to irregular harvesting, habitat loss, and littering fresh lakes. These issues have caused these turtles to be placed on the threatened species list.

Animal Facts: Alligator snapping turtles can stay submerged for 40 to 50 minutes underwater before having to surface for air. It is one of the heaviest turtle species in the world and the largest freshwater species of turtle in North America. The average lifespan in captivity is 20 to 50 years. Turtles in the wild live up to 100 years. Alligator snapping turtle&rsquos weigh up to 220 pounds. These turtles have spiked shells, beak-like jaws, and a thick scaled tail, which makes them look like a dinosaur.