Turtle Gallery
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Alligator snapping turtle being released into a slough.  Notice the fleshy, pink "worm" on the bottom of the mouth.  This is what they use to lure prey within striking distance under water.The alligator snapper can be identified by the large "spikes" on its back and the edges of the shell.  Common snappers have a relatively smooth shell.Alligator snappers also have fleshy growths all over their skin.Leaving the water only to lay eggs, most people only see female snappers during the spring and early summer months.  Males rarely leave the water. Alligator snapper skull found in 2009.Alligator snapper skull.