Alligator Snapping Turtle

http://mdc.mo.gov
Alligator snapping turtles are the largest turtles in Missouri, weighing up to 150 pounds with shells that are more than 2 feet long.
Found primarily in the southeast corner of the state, these endangered turtles catch fish by luring them close with a special tip on their tongue that looks like a worm. The Missouri Department of Conservation is monitoring these unique reptiles to learn more about there habits and habitats in an effort to improve their chances of survival.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Alligator
• Snapping
• Turtle
• missouri
• conservation
• outdoors
• reptiles
• wildlife

[Delticola]

@StarfyProductions Ah, very true, they're not on the Federal Endangered Species list, but 11 states protect them from being hunted anywhere, and the other two states protect them from being hunted and sold for commercial purposes. So they are restricted in their taking in every state where they occur. They are listed as endangered or threatened on some states lists, but not Federal. But they are extreamly rare in many places. So if you mean to say they are abundant, you are incorrect.

[gatitodog]

I filmed 2 common snappers fighting in my west missouri sewer pond.

do they really want to fight over that kind of turf?

It went on and on for 20+minutes

The 30 second vid is on my channel

it shows only the best of the battle

I have the sewer fenced so how in the heck did they get there.

[tohidefromourways]

@StarfyProductions Are you retarded? In Missouri Law they are protected, and being almost done with my requirement classes to register to be a Game Warden, don't let me catch anyone you know killing them or running over anything on purpose.

[StarfyProductions]

THERE NOT ENDANGERD!

[HaloMegaGuy]

correction they can weigh up to 200 pounds

[Delticola]

Yes, "THESE ANIMALS ARE AWESOME" as the comment below reads. They are so awesome that one should actually take the time to learn the difference between this alligator snapping turtle and the wide spread and much more common......common snapping turtle. Then you can appreciate more the species you're seeing on this film vs. the one you're seeing on your gravel road (and vice versa)

[Delticola]

Yeah, their natural habits include lying in wait on roads for stranded motorists. Exhaust fumes comprise much of their natural diet. On some roads I've seen as many as a million of these rare creatures just lined up waiting for a motorist to break down. What is it about some idiots that talk about this species being on a road. Just fricken kills me. Do you know how many wasted hours I spent in the state of Missouri in 1993 on this study answering calls where people had a common snapper?

[Ozark187]

These animals are awesome. There is one that lives by our house in the ponds. It likes to lay out on the gravel road during sunny days. Always tries to bite our tires too.

[sadmadgla3]

i live in missouri