Alligator Snapping Turtle

The alligator snapping turtle is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world and is often called the "dinosaur of the turtle world" due to its prehistoric appearance.

Native to the rivers, lakes, and swamps of the southeastern United States, this species spends most of its life in water, particularly in slow-moving, deep freshwater systems. Once common, its numbers have declined in parts of its range due to habitat destruction and overharvesting.

This turtle is an ambush predator with a fascinating method of hunting. It lies motionless on the riverbed with its mouth open, revealing a worm-like appendage on its tongue. When a curious fish comes to investigate, the turtle snaps its jaws shut with astonishing speed.

The alligator snapping turtle is heavily armoured, with a ridged, spiked shell and a massive head equipped with powerful jaws capable of crushing bone. It can live for 50 to 100 years and is mostly solitary and nocturnal in the wild.

Despite their tough appearance, these turtles are vulnerable to environmental changes. Conservation programs now monitor populations and protect nesting sites to help prevent further decline.

As a culturally iconic animal in the American South, the alligator snapping turtle has appeared in folklore and stories as a symbol of strength, patience, and resilience.

The alligator snapping turtle can stay completely submerged without breathing for up to 50 minutes—thanks to its ability to absorb oxygen through specialised tissues in its throat!