The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. It lives in freshwater in the southern United States, in rivers that flow into the Gulf of Mexico. Adults live in deep water in large rivers, canals and lakes, while young ones live in smaller streams.

People call this turtle the "dinosaur of the turtle world." It has a spiked shell. On the upper shell are three large ridges that run from front to back. It also has a very big head and strong jaws, a long tail, and webbed toes with long claws. Male alligator snapping turtles grow larger than females. As of November 2026, the heaviest one on record weighed more than 250 pounds. The upper shell of the largest ones is more than 30 inches long, also as of November 2026.

Much of this turtle's life is in the water. Alligator snapping turtles spend most of their time in the water. A turtle can stay under water for 40 to 50 minutes before it comes up for air. These turtles are most active at night. Algae often grows on a turtle's back, which helps hide it.

Part of an alligator snapping turtle's tongue looks like a worm. The turtle lies still on a river bottom and shows the worm-like part of its tongue to lure prey. It waves this part, and fish swim close. Alligator snapping turtles eat mostly fish, along with crayfish, snails, mussels and some plants. They both hunt and eat dead animals they find.

As of November 2026, it is against the law to capture wild alligator snapping turtles in Missouri. Commercial harvest in the late 1960s and 1970s caused alligator snapping turtle numbers to fall across the species range. Hatcheries raise young alligator snapping turtles to set free in rivers where they were once common.

Alligator snapping turtles typically live alone. A female digs a nest in the sand and lays between 8 and 52 eggs in one clutch. She generally lays one clutch of eggs a year, and some lay every other year. Raccoons eat alligator snapping turtle eggs from nests. Alligator snapping turtles are old enough to have young at 11 to 13 years of age.

Words to know

• algae: tiny water plants
• lure: draw close
• prey: food animal
• clutch: egg group
• harvest: taking for sale
• hatcheries: egg-raising places