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Alligator Snapping Turtle

Macrochelys temminckii

Photo by AshleyT
Published on Project Noah
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32.0756, -96.4953

Field Notes

Description:

They have a large head with a pointed snout. The shell is thick and has three rows of spikes down the back.

Habitat:

Found in the southeastern US in flowing waters. This guy was actually found in a still water pond in a swampy area.

Notes:

We were taking blood from this guy to get DNA samples for another graduate student who is working on turtle genetics. He was quite feisty and was just waiting for someone to get a body part close enough for him to remove it! He was released back into the pond he came from after we took blood and marked him in case he is recaptured.

Reference Links:

Alligator snapping turtle

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (14)
RiekoS
I agree with KarenL. I wouldn't want to get too close to this snapping turtle... Nice shot though.
AshleyT
Haha yes David, we knew better than to put any body part too close to him! He kept his mouth open the whole time and was ready to bite if gotten the chance.
AshleyT
Thanks Karen, Antonio, and Phillip!
AntónioGinjaGinja
Wow.amazing,great spotting Ashley,scarry :-) congrats and thanks for sharing
KarenL
Awesome! I wouldn't want to get too close to this guy though!
AshleyT
Thanks Lisa, we had actually caught 3 of them :) Two years ago at this site we caught a 60 lb one, by far the biggest I had seen in the wild although they get way bigger than that!
LisaPowers
OK...terrific spotting....I am jealous now!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Texas Wildlife Photographers
Mission
Herps of Texas
Photographed
PublishedApril 17, 2013

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