How many of you are aware of snapping turtle facts? Certainly few! This article illustrates you the right info about one of the largest turtles. The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is arguably one of the largest turtles that belong to the genus Macrochelys. These types of turtles are predominantly found in the freshwaters of United States including, Florida, Texas, Missouri, Iowa, Western Kentucky, and Tennessee. They have also been introduced in some parts of Asia and Europe.
Alligator Snapping Turtle Facts
These turtles are shed by a thick heavy shell that also gives a distinctive physical look.
Alligator turtles are found in variety of colors such as gray, brown, green or black.
One of the heaviest alligator turtles ever recorded was at 183 kg (403 pounds) which was found in Kansas back in 1937. Another great turtle weighed around 113 kg (249 lb) in 1999. The average weight of an adult is about 80 kg (175 lb). Females are normally believed to be shorter than males.
The length of these turtles measure around 40.4 – 80.8 cm (16 – 32 inches).
Carapace is 12 inches long.
The turtles hunt under water by staying still while opening their mouths. Alligator snapping turtles have one of the most powerful biting forces which is recorded as 158 ± 18 kilograms-force (1,550 ± 180 N; 350 ± 40 lbf).As compared to other turtle species these animals need to be handled with extreme care.
What Do Alligator Turtles Eat?
Because of their opportunistic these types of turtles mainly feed on minnows, fish carcasses, carrion, invertebrates, and amphibians. Snapping turtles are also known to consume snakes beef or chicken.
Alligator Snapping Turtle Facts | Reproduction
- They turn out to be mature after 12 years.
- The clutch size comprises 10 – 50 eggs.
- The incubation period lasts for 100 – 140 days.
- The average lifespan of snapping turtles is about 80 – 120 years in the wild even though some are expected to live 200 years. The age in captivity is 20 – 70 years.
Common Snapping Turtle Facts
The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is large turtle ad it resides in Rocky Mountains, Canada, Florida, Nova Scotia, Mexico, and North America.
Interesting Common Snapping Turtle Facts
- The average lifespan of these turtles is about 47 years in captivity and 30 years in the wild.
- The length of the carapace measures around 25 – 47 cm (9.8 – 19 inches) with some are 50 cm (20 inches).
- Some of these species weigh around 4.5 – 16 kg (9.9 – 35 lb), with the maximum weight ever recorded was 34 kg (75 lb).
- These turtles are found in the freshwater lakes, streams and ponds.
- The predominantly feed on small insects, invertebrates, fish, frogs, reptiles, and birds.
- Common Snapping Turtle Facts
- The mating season ranges from April to November. Females lay 25 – 80 eggs annually. The period of incubation lasts for 9 – 18 weeks.
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