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Alligator Snapping Turtle
Macrochelys temminckii
Endangered
is North America’s largest freshwater turtle. It has a large head, powerful jaws, and three ridges that run the length of its shell, giving it a truly prehistoric appearance. Alligator Snapping Turtles inhabit rivers and streams throughout the Mississippi and Missouri River watersheds. They are solitary creatures that rarely venture onto land. They forage for food under cover of darkness. Despite their reclusive nature, they face a number of threats including habitat destruction, hunting and water pollution.