Alligator snapping turtle vs common snapping turtle fight

The sight of a snapping turtle is enough to give most people pause, given their reputation for being able to inflict damage with their powerful, snapping jaws.

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an alligator snapping turtle Macrochelys temminckii and a common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina? As babies, the differences between the alligator snapping turtle and common snapping turtle are a tad harder to notice. As common snappers mature, the dorsal ridges become smaller, and the shell smooths out. The alligator snapping turtle keeps their ridges throughout its entire life. They keep their spiky ridges into adulthood. Even their skin seems tougher , with more bumps and wrinkles.

Alligator snapping turtle vs common snapping turtle fight

If you live within a few miles of a pond, lake or stream, you could step outside one morning and come face-to-face with a pound reptile. In fact, you could be in for a treat. Snapping turtles mate from April through November, with their peak egg-laying season in June and July. A female will stray far from water looking for sandy soil in which to dig a nest chamber. See video. Then, she buries the eggs and returns to the water, never looking back. Nine out of 10 nests will be raided by predators such as crows, minks, skunks, foxes and raccoons. Often the nest will be discovered and the eggs eaten the very first night. As hatchlings, the turtles may be preyed on by all those animals and more, including herons and other shorebirds, birds of prey, bullfrogs, large fish, snakes—and even other snapping turtles. Snapping turtles shared the Earth with dinosaurs and are still around to share it with us.

These creatures are, in fact, shy. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Due to the turtle's sheer size, handling an adult specimen poses significant problems.

The alligator snapping turtle Macrochelys temminckii is a large species of turtle in the family Chelydridae. The species is native to freshwater habitats in the United States. The specific epithet temminckii is in honor of Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck. Although it was once believed that only one extant species exists in the genus Macrochelys , recent studies have shown that there are two species, the other being the Suwannee snapping turtle M. The alligator snapping turtle is given its common name because of its immensely powerful jaws and distinct ridges on its shell that are similar in appearance to the rough, ridged skin of an alligator. It is also slightly less commonly known as "the loggerhead snapper" not to be confused with the loggerhead sea turtle or loggerhead musk turtle. The alligator snapping turtle is found primarily in freshwaters of the southeastern United States.

The sight of a snapping turtle is enough to give most people pause, given their reputation for being able to inflict damage with their powerful, snapping jaws. The world is home to just two species of snapping turtles — common snapping turtles and alligator snapping turtles — and both live in Illinois. Even though both species live in the state, odds are if you've seen one, it's a common snapping turtle. How can we be so sure? First, because alligator snapping turtles live mainly in the southeastern United States, although their range does extend into southern Illinois, according to the Illinois News Bureau. However, they do not live as far north as Will County. That means if you see a snapper in our area, it's a common snapping turtle.

Alligator snapping turtle vs common snapping turtle fight

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Have you ever mistaken an alligator snapping turtle with a common snapping turtle? Well, when young, both turtles have a similar appearance and habits. But once grown, these turtles show several dissimilarities. Here is a brief comparison between common snapping turtle vs. Common snapping turtles are medium-sized, enjoy an average lifespan, and are less aggressive. Also, these turtles are omnivorous and easier to take care of. However, the alligator snapping turtles have bulky bodies and live a long lifespan. Also, this subspecies is not an ideal pet due to its aggressive nature. Go through the following article to catch more details on the differences between common snapping and alligator snapping turtles.

117 inches to feet

Though smaller, the common snapping turtles seem to lay more eggs than the alligator snapping turtles. Sterling Publishing Company. The common snapping turtles bite with enough force to make you bleed and leave a bruise. Raising a common snapping turtle is easier than the alligator snapping turtle. What's the difference? Compared to them, the common snapping turtles are faster. Well, just so you know, turtles can run. They mate every year in Spring. Because of collection for the exotic pet trade, overharvesting for its meat, and habitat destruction, some states have imposed bans on collecting the alligator snapping turtle from the wild. Alligator and common snapping turtles live in the same types of habitat in the wild. Table of Contents. For the alligator snapping turtle, higher temperatures produce more males in a clutch.

When I got my first common snapping turtle, I was completely lost, so I quickly searched for a care sheet, but all I could find were care guides that told me where they live, how big they get and other not-so practical information. So I had to learn things the hard way. Now that more than 5 years have passed, it seems that most care sheets still cover the same things, so I decided to make my own care sheet which covers things that really matter, and which you can only learn through experience.

Each subspecies has its own food preferences when it comes to dieting. But as they grow up, their appetite changes, and they become omnivorous. Due to the turtle's sheer size, handling an adult specimen poses significant problems. Archived from the original on April 8, They reach a length of 22 inches. Actually, several factors decide the cost of a turtle. As babies, the differences between the alligator snapping turtle and common snapping turtle are a tad harder to notice. Though not verified, a kg lb alligator snapping turtle was found in Kansas in , [15] but the largest verifiable one is debatable. Though its potential lifespan in the wild is unknown, the alligator snapping turtle is believed to be capable of living to years of age, but 80 to is more likely. See video. When these turtles open their mouths, you can also see their bright red, fleshy tongue lures. A larger turtle, with its proportionately longer neck and greater reach, is held safely by grasping it just behind the head or close to the tail's base.