Did you know Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) are the largest freshwater turtle in North America?
They mostly live in the southeastern USA into the Midwest but have been found on occasion in the far west, even to Oregon.
Male turtles are bigger than females. They can grow up to three feet long and weigh up to 175 pounds on average. The largest Alligator Snapping Turtle weighed 403 pounds! Most live 20 to 70 years but in captivity can live to 200 years old.
They mostly hunt at night and are more dormant in the daytime. They spend most of their time in the water but females crawl out onto dry land when it is time to lay eggs.
They eat fish, insects, reptiles and small birds. The Alligator Snapping Turtle has a special appendage on its tongue that looks like a pink worm. The turtle can wiggle it to entice prey to come closer. Very large turtles can even hunt and kill small alligators. They refuse to eat if the temperature is too hot or cold because they are unable to digest any consumed food.
Alligator Snapping Turtles have a large head with golden eyes. Its shell is mostly green-brown with camouflage type markings on it. The shell has three ridges with large, sharp spikes running down the length of the shell. They have powerful jaws and their bite is so strong it can amputate fingers.
The Alligator Snapping Turtles become sexually mature by the age of 12. They mate in spring and two months later, the female lays anywhere from 10 to 50 eggs in a dry ground nest.
Alligator Snapping Turtles are Endangered. Be very careful when approaching one and Do Not touch them. Several of these turtles have been seen around Historic Banning Mills, so be cautious if you encounter one during your adventure and enjoy watching from a distance!