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Article: Super snapper.(alligator snapper turtles)
- Article from:
- Ranger Rick
- Article date:
- October 1, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 National Wildlife Federation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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This isn't just any old turtle. It's an alligator snapper--the largest freshwater turtle in North America. And it's not just big in size. It also has a mighty big bite! Just look at the sharp hooks on the alligator snapper's jaws. That strong, hawklike beak could take off a finger or two, no problem.
But chances are you won't come face to face with this crusher. Alligator snapping turtles live only in southern waterways of the United States that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. And they keep out of sight, staying mostly on the bottoms of slow-moving rivers. You're much more likely to come across their smaller cousin, the common snapping turtle. Common snappers live in ...