Where are alligator snappers from?

Discussion in 'Turtles' started by biggsxr, Apr 25, 2004.

  1. biggsxr

    biggsxr Embryo

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    Hey everyone just wanted to ask a question. Where are Alligator snapping turtles from? I mean where is there home range? Ive been lookin all over the net and no site ive found has a map to show there home range, they just say the south east or central USA. So if anyone can point me to a web page that shows a map i would be very greatfull.

    Thanks to all!!!! :(


    joshua
     
  2. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  3. Eric

    Eric Embryo

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    Check out this page... you'll have to scroll down to the part about alligator snapping turtles, but you should find the info you're looking for, though they don't have a map...

    http://www.rodnreel.com/articles/articles....amp;StoryID=651

     
  4. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  5. biggsxr

    biggsxr Embryo

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    Hey thanks. that sorta helped me out. Im trying to find out for sure is a snapper i caught here in NC is a gator snapper or common one. Its has alot of the features of a gator snapper, pointed nose , very rough shell etc, But im not sure if they are even native to the area. And if it is a gator snapper, and they are not native here then how did it get here. My thoery is that it came in on a truck ,by way of pallet, from the LA, Miss. River area. I know its a stretch but we do get raw materials from that area. Oh by they way the trutle i found was found where i work, inside the building, near some raw materials. Any way thanks for that great info and if anyone has anymore please let me know. Thanks again.

    Joshua
     
  6. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  7. biochic

    biochic Well-Known Member

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    Below are some links of some common snapper hatchlings. They will look pretty much the same up until they're about 4-5 inches in size. The the top of the shell will begin to smooth and the ridges will flatten out.
    http://www.chelydra.org/snapper15.html
    http://www.chelydra.org/snapper14.html
    http://www.chelydra.org/snapper13.html

    On an alligator snapper, there is an extra row of scutes between the marginal and costal scutes. This means, on the carapace (top shell) of the alli snapper, there are several scutes (on the right and left sides of shell) that are set in between the outermost line of scutes and the first row of scutes on his back. Common snappers have tubercles on the underside of their neck just below their "chin". These are two little projections on the neck. Alligator snappers are native to areas around the mississippi river valley and are not native the N.C. so maybe that will help you figure out if he really came in on the truck.
     
  8. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  9. Hummingbird

    Hummingbird Well-Known Member

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    young common snappers look *quite* a bit like alligator snappers - very rough carapace, pointed beak; just like you said your 'gal' has. it can be difficult to determine which type you have until they get a little older.

    here are common hatchlings (darker in color, more round carapace, less pointed beak, etc):
    http://www.chelonia.org/CserpentinaJHs3Htch.jpg
    http://www.chelonia.org/CserpentinaJH1.jpg
    http://www.chelonia.org/CserpentinaJH2.jpg

    here are alligator hatchlings (lighter brown, sqaured-off carapace, very elongate beak, etc):
    http://www.pnhs.net/Events/Shows/PSC2002/0...ng%20Turtle.JPG
    http://www.miamisci.org/reptiles/reptiles/...gatorturtle.gif
    http://members.tripod.com/EXOTICREPTILES/17b23fb0.jpg

    also, alligator snappers have a pink 'lure' on their tongues which they flash when they open their mouths. these are used to lure fish towards them to serve as a meal. you can see this 'lure' in this pic: http://sailors2.steamboat.k12.co.us/spe/pr...rtles/snap1.gif you should be able to see this in even a young alligator snapper, but DON'T get your finger bitten off trying to get his mouth open!! :( :wink:

    oh and here's the only pic i could find of the common snapper's natural range: http://www.crockerfarm.org/ac/rm02/animals...s/Laurenmap.gif
     
  10. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  11. biggsxr

    biggsxr Embryo

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    Hey thanks to all of you for the help im leaning toward it being a common as of now but it is still hard to tell and i cant get its mouth open to make a final confirmation. its has some of the features of a alligator snapper but im still not sure. If i can get it mouth open ill update you on what it is. Thanks to all again

    Joshua
     
  12. Kiryu

    Kiryu Embryo

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  13. EvilSquish

    EvilSquish New Member

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    The Toronto Zoo has a HUGE freakin' alligator snapper.. awesome looking animals, very menacing even as youngins... lol I love the fact that their head opens to about half the diameter of their head, and they usually hate clean clear water, what with them being a Mississippi range turtle (if I recall correct) so they love the ol' muddy water. I've always wanted one but they're hard to come by in my area and besides that I don't really have the room for a full grown `gator snapper... but awesome animal, I'm envious of you. ;) For now I'll stick with my RES and my Mis.
     
  14. TáriStar

    TáriStar Well-Known Member

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    hey I have one too. its common most likely. when young they share a lot of their looks with their cousins.
    [​IMG]

    He look anything along the lines of that? definatly common then. Mine is in hibernation now. sleeping right next to me.
     

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