Metazoa info

[Duke Guilmon]

Alligator snapping turtle



Macrochelys temminckii

Size: 66cm

Weight: 100kg

Life expectancy: they on average live from 11-45 years 

When it first appeared: No data

Location: It is found as far west as east Texas, as far east as west Florida and as far north as Iowa. They live in lakes, with only females willing to go on land. 



Taxonomy: 
Class: Reptilia
Clade: Eureptilia
Clade: Diapsida
Clade: Neodiapsida
Clade: Neodiapsida
Clade: Sauria
Clade: Pantestudines
Clade: Testudinata
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Clade: Polycryptodira
Family: Chelydridae
Genus: Macrochelys
Species: Macrochelys temminckii

Diet: These turtles mostly eat other animals. They eat fish, mollusk, amphibians, snakes, crayfish, aquatic mammals, water birds, worms, and aquatic plants.

Anatomy: This animal is know for its bite. The mouth may be hard but its bite force is not as strong as people think it is, going up to 158±18 kgf. It also has a cool worm like tongue, used to lure prey so it can eat.

Behavior: Alligator snappers are solitary. They will spend 40-50 minutes under water. They hunt by remaining still and with their mouth open, wiggle their tongue to lure prey. 

Reproduction: Macrochelys temminckii reaches sexual maturity at 12 years. Depending on region it will mate early or late spring. The female will lay up to 8-52 eggs, with the eggs taking 100-140 days. There is no parental care, so the young must defend themselves when they hatch. 

Relationship with other animals: Not much is know about its relationship with other animals besides its prey.



GAMERA!!

Other sources:

http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macr...emminckii/

https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Li...urtle.aspx

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/an...ng-turtle/