Alligator Snapping Turtle

Macrochelys temminckii

The largest freshwater turtle in the United States, which lures fish into its open jaws with a worm-like bit on its tongue.

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About the Alligator Snapping Turtle

Alligator snapping turtles live in large rivers, streams, lakes and swamps with deep water, in 12 southern and central states including Georgia and Alabama. Males can have shells up to 29 inches long and weigh up to 249 pounds. They lie still with their jaws open and wiggle a small worm-like part of the tongue to lure fish. They also eat crayfish, mollusks, smaller turtles, snakes, birds and plants.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Macrochelys temminckii^[1]
Size: Shell up to 29 inches long in males and 22 inches in females.^[1]
Weight: Males up to 249 pounds. Females up to 62 pounds.^[1]
Lifespan: The oldest known lived 80 years in captivity.^[1]
Diet: Omnivore. Fish, crayfish, mollusks, smaller turtles, snakes, birds and plants.^[1]
Habitat: Large rivers, streams, canals, lakes and swamps with deep water.^[1]
Where it lives: 12 U.S. states, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Missouri.^[1]
Babies: One clutch of 8 to 52 eggs a year.^[1]
Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN Red List, assessed 2023).^[3]

Fun facts

It is the largest freshwater turtle in the United States.^[1]
It catches fish with a worm-like lure on its tongue.^[1]
These turtles don't mature until 11 to 21 years old.^[1]

Vocabulary

lure: Something used to attract an animal closer.
freshwater: Water that isn't salty, like rivers and lakes.
clutch: A group of eggs laid at one time.
bycatch: Animals caught by accident in fishing gear.
endangered: A conservation label meaning a species faces a very high risk of dying out in the wild.

See it in person

Zoo AtlantaAtlanta, Georgia · All AnimalsSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

Sources

[1] U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “Alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii).” https://www.fws.gov/species/alligator-snapping-turtle-macrochelys-temminckii (accessed 2026-10-02)
[2] Zoo Atlanta. “Alligator Snapping Turtle.” https://zooatlanta.org/animal/alligator-snapping-turtle/ (accessed 2026-10-02)
[3] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Macrochelys temminckii (Western Alligator Snapping Turtle).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/232775771/507158 (accessed 2026-10-02)

Facts last checked 2026-10-02.

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