How far north are alligator snapping turtles?

How far north are alligator snapping turtles?

It is said that a 400-pound (180-kilogram) alligator snapping turtle was caught in Kansas in 1937, but there isn’t sufficient evidence to confirm the claim. Alligator snapping turtles are found exclusively in the United States, from northern Florida to eastern Texas and as far north as Iowa.

Where are alligator snapping turtles located?

The alligator snapping turtle can be found in rivers, lakes, backwater swamps, and periodically in brackish water systems (mixture of fresh and salt water) from Florida to Texas and north to Illinois (Florida Natural Areas Inventory 2001).

Are there alligator snapping turtles in Mississippi?

Size rare for alligator snapping turtles in Mississippi According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, alligator snapping turtles can grow to 175 pounds and are the largest freshwater turtle in the nation. However, Mississippi seems to lack turtles anywhere close to that size.

What is the difference between a snapping turtle and an alligator snapping turtle?

The shell of an alligator snapping turtle has three distinctive ridges, while the common snapping turtle has a smoother shell. The alligator snapping turtle has a triangular head. The common snapping turtle has an oval-shaped head. An alligator snapping turtle has two distinct features that its cousin doesn’t have.

Is it illegal to keep an alligator snapping turtle?

Alligator snapping turtles are somewhat protected throughout their range. In many states, they are not legal to buy, sell or own without a permit. However, it is sometimes legal to hatch them from your own stock. And many states simply ban the sale of locally obtained non-game wildlife.

Where are giant snapping turtles found?

Distribution and habitat The alligator snapping turtle is found primarily in freshwaters of the southeastern United States. It is found from the Florida Panhandle west to East Texas, north to southeastern Kansas, Missouri, southeastern Iowa, western Illinois, southern Indiana, western Kentucky, and western Tennessee.

Is it legal to own an alligator snapping turtle?

Is it legal to eat snapping turtle?

Fortunately, alligator snapping turtles are now afforded some protection in every state in which they occur, and at this very moment the federal government is under pressure to protect them under the Endangered Species Act. Even if you can legally eat a snapping turtle, there’s another good reason why you shouldn’t.

What is the largest alligator snapping turtle on record?

249 pounds
The largest snapping turtle ever officially recorded was a 16 year old alligator snapping turtle that weighed in at a massive 249 pounds. This massive turtle was weighed at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago in 1999 prior to being sent to Tennessee Aquarium on breeding loan.

Can you sell an alligator snapping turtle?

Alligator snapping turtles are among the largest freshwater turtles in the world and can grow to weigh more than 200 pounds with a lifespan of more than 100 years. The turtles are also protected under Louisiana State Law, which makes it illegal to sell or barter for the turtles.

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