Alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii )

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*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Macrochelys temminckii is one of the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world. Excluding exceptionally large specimens, adult alligator snapping turtles generally range in carapace length from 35 to 80.8 cm (13.8 to 31.8 in) and weigh from 8.4 to 80 kg (19 to 176 lb). Males are typically larger than females.adult alligator snapping turtles averaged 21.05 kg (46.4 lb), 92 averaged 19.72 kg (43.5 lb), and 249 averaged 13.5 kg (30 lb). Usually very old males comprise the specimens that weigh in excess of 45 kg (99 lb) per most population studies. The alligator snapping turtle is found primarily in southeastern United States waters. They are found from the Florida Panhandle west to East Texas, north to southeastern Kansas, Missouri, southeastern Iowa, western Illinois, southern Wisconsin, southern Indiana, western Kentucky, and western Tennessee. They are found on the Missouri River at least as far north as the Gavins Point Dam, the southernmost dam on the Missouri River at Yankton, South Dakota, and are featured in the Gavins Point Dam Aquarium. Pictures taken from the book The Alligator Snapping Turtle Peter C.H. Pritchard Reply

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credits to @reptiliazoo @boscamp_wildlife_photography and @meng_0114

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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