Alligator Snapping Turtle       Macroclemys temminckii  

The pink worm-like tongue acts as a lure.

This robust aquatic turtle is found in the central United States, primarily in the Mississippi river in Illinois. Three rows of scutes (ridges) on the carapace (top of the shell) a very large head, tiny, star-shaped eyes and a hooked beak distinguish the alligator from the common snapping turtle. This turtle cannot withdraw completely into its shell.

This turtle’s weight hinders its ability to chase down fish during a hunt and as such, it has special adaptation techniques. Laying on the water's floor, this prehistoric looking turtle is covered in algae and highly camoflagued. It opens it's mouth and is perfectly still with one exception. It wiggles its  small, thin, worm-like tongue. Fish mistake its tongue for a worm and swim right into strong jaws of this creature. This turtle primarily eats fishes but will take other species that come too close to its powerful jaws.

Mating may occur at any time when the turtles are active but is most likely in late spring. The female deposits eggs in a soil nest in late spring or early summer. The number of eggs laid depends on the size of the female. Hatching occurs in late summer. The alligator snapping turtle is the most persistent aquatic turtle, with females only leaving the water to lay eggs.