Kingdom  Animalia
Phylum  Chordata
Class  Reptilia
Order  Testudines
Family  Chelydridae
Genus  Macroclemys
Species  Macroclemys temminckii

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Diet

Reproduction

Habitat

Historical Distribution

Economic Value

Status

Literature Cited

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Author: Travis Wayne Farris

Site created by: Rachael McCormick

Site Maintained by: Dr. Mark Wallace

c7wmc@ttacs.ttu.edu

Alligator snapping turtles prefer deep water habitats from Texas to Florida (Richards 2002).  Their highest concentrations are in forested wetlands with large stands of bald cypress (Harrel et al 1996).  They live in and under logs and roots in depressions they make in the mud, and may use these structures to climb to the surface for air, as they are poor swimmers (Harrel et al 1996).  Although primarily aquatic, alligator snapping turtle do venture onto land for nesting (Pritchard, 1989).  Female alligator snappers excavate a shallow nest, usually less than 12m (36ft) from the water’s edge, in areas elevated 1.6m (4.8ft) above the water line (Pritchard, 1989).