INDOZONE.ID – The turtle snapped (Chelydra serpentine) is largest freshwater turtle in the United States (US) which is known for its biting and quite aggressive nature.
This turtle is found throughout North America east of the Rocky Mountains, and in Mexico and Central America to Ecuador.
This aggressive animal is brown to black in color and has a leathery upper shell, a small cross-shaped lower shell, a long tail, and a large head with hooked jaws.
Reported Britannica, Friday (11/2/2022), he is an omnivorous animal who likes to prey on animals. It is noted for its aggressive nature when it comes out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and very flexible head and neck.
The turtle snapped has a survival strategy characterized by high and variable embryonic and hatchling mortality. Delayed sexual maturation, extended adult longevity, and iteroparity (repeat reproductive events) with low reproductive success per reproductive event.
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They can grow to shell length about 40–70 cm long and weigh from 18 to 70 kg, with a record around 100 kg. The alligator snapping turtle has a worm-like appendage at the bottom of its mouth.
Often nestled discreetly at the bottom, mouth open, and lure fish within reach through these structures. It also eats plants.
Females, and possibly males as well, in more northern populations mature later (at 15-20 years) and at a larger size than in more southern populations (about 12 years).
Life time in the wild is less known, but long -term capture data back the mark from Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada, indicates a maximum age of over 100 years.
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