Alligator snapping turtle
Macroclemys temmincki
Class: Reptiles (Reptilia)
Order: Turtles (Testudines)
Family: Chelydridae ( Chelydridae)
- It is distributed from the South-East of the USA (Mississippi basin) to the north up to the state of Illinois and to Mexico. The life span can attain 60 years.
- The turtle received its name because of a characteristic shape of the beak which reminds the beak of the bird of prey griffon. The carapace has high longitudinal fissures. The way of hinting of the turtle is interesting: remaining immovable on the bottom it keeps its mouth open and moves its pink tongue which resembles by its shape and size a worm, with which it attracts fish.