Alligator Snapping Turtle

Spotting #700 :) The carapace has three distinct rows of raised plates, and the plastron is greatly reduced, showing lots of skin. The skin is dark and the head is very large. When feeding, they hold their mouths open and stick out their tongue which looks like a worm. Other turtles and fish go after the "worm" for a quick snack, where they end up being a snack for these guys! In waters where these guys are present, you will often see other turtles with pie-shaped wedges taken out of their shells where they got bit by one of these guys and got away. They can get upwards of 250 lbs, but this was a small one, less than 10 lbs.