Alligator Snapping Turtle
Macrochelys temminckii
Classification
Kingdom Animalia- Are heterotrophs, most organisms have internal digestion and move in some point in their life
Phylum Chordata- Have a notochord structure and have bilateral symmetry, they also have a closed blood system
Sub phylum Vertebrata- Have a vertebral column, the vertebral column replaces the notochord, produce hair, scales and etc., have a digestive system and other vital organs like glands, liver and a pancreas
Class Reptilia- Their eggs have shells they are born with( which they lose after some time), have scales, have lungs for respiration
Order Testudines- Have shells, their shells can't be pulled off it's part of their ribcage, all turtles are part of this order
Family Celydridae- Only three species in this family, they can live in the North America, northern South America and Southeastern Asia, have strong jaws and hooked upper jaws
Genus Marcochelys- Alligator Snapping turtle is the only organism for this genus
Species- Macrochelys temminckii
General Description
Weight- About 70 to 80 kg (154.19 to 176.21 lb)
Color- Has a dark gray, black or brown shell and a light-colored belly, the skin is a shade green and if you look at it overall it's not colorful but rather dull in color
Natural Range- Are found from Northern Florida to Southern Georgia and the Gulf States to Texas, they're also found in Illinois to Kansas and the Mississippi River
Diet- Alligator Snapping Turtles feed on plants, carrion, insects, fish, frogs, ducklings and young muskrats they also eat snakes, worms, clams, crayfish and even other turtles.
Habitat Description- They spend their time in muddy ponds, lakes and rivers
Predators- The only main predator for adults are humans, but for young Alligator Snapping Turtles, raccoons, predatory fish and large birds may be a threat
Physical Adaptations
Behavioral Adaptations
Alligator Snapping Turtle's Mouth
Standing up tall
Natural Range
References
References
Alligator snapping turtle. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2015, from National Geographic website: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/alligator-snapping-turtle/
Alligator snapping turtle. (2014). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://www.czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/Zoo-Animals/The-Swamp/Alligator-Snapping-Turtle
Burton, M. (2002). Snapping turtle. In International wildlife encyclopedia (17th ed., pp. 2425-2426). New York, NY: Marshall Cavendish.
DiLaura, P.; J. Pruitt; D. Munsey; G. Good; B. Meyer and K. Urban 1999. "Macrochelys temminckii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 11, 2015 at http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macrochelys_temminckii/
Macrochelys temminckii. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2015, from EOL website: http://eol.org/pages/791511/details
Top 10 animal cheats. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2015, from Animal Planet website: http://www.animalplanet.com/wild-animals/6-alligator-snapping-turtle/