About:
Did you know alligator snapping turtles can stay underwater for 45 minutes before taking another breath? Learn more about alligator snapping turtles.
Care & Wellness:
Their Zoo habitat reflects a river bottom and lets the snapping turtle wait patiently on the bottom, luring a fish in close before striking. Although the turtle will respond to keepers when cued to feed, it often simply sits and waits.
Behavior:
- Live alone in swamps, canals, rivers, and lakes
- Can stay underwater for 45 minutes before taking another breath
- Use a worm-like projection on tongue to "fish" for prey
Endangered Status
- Extinct in Wild (EW)
- Critically Endangered (CR)
- Endangered (EN)
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Near Threatened (NT)
- Least Concern (LC)
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Fun Facts:
- Their life span may reach or exceed 100 years.
- May remain so still underwater that algae grows on the shell.
- Males are much larger than females and may be over three feet long and weigh more than 200 pounds.
