Alligator Snapping Turtle
The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. It lives in rivers and swamps in the southeastern United States. It uses a worm-like tongue to lure fish, and it is near threatened because of habitat loss and hunting.
What is it?
The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a huge freshwater turtle. Adults can grow up to 2.5 feet long and weigh up to 200 pounds. It lives in rivers, lakes, swamps, and canals in the southeastern United States.
How old?
This turtle species has been around for millions of years. The one you saw is alive today, but turtles like this have lived since the time of the dinosaurs.
What was it like?
The alligator snapping turtle has a very special way of catching food. It has a worm-like appendage on its tongue that it wiggles to attract fish. When a fish comes close, the turtle snaps its powerful jaws shut. It is a top predator in its watery home.
Why does it matter?
This turtle is an important part of its ecosystem. It helps keep fish populations balanced. But it is listed as Near Threatened because its habitat is being destroyed, pollution, pesticides, and people hunting it for its meat. Conservation efforts are needed to protect it.
Connections
Next to find
- A picture of an alligator snapping turtle using its tongue lure.
- Another animal that uses a lure to catch prey.
- A conservation project that protects freshwater turtles.
短吻鳄鳄龟
短吻鳄鳄龟是北美最大的淡水龟。它生活在美国东南部的河流和沼泽中。它用像虫子一样的舌头引诱鱼类，由于栖息地丧失和捕猎，它被列为近危物种。
这是什么？
短吻鳄鳄龟（Macrochelys temminckii）是一种巨大的淡水龟。成年个体可以长到2.5英尺长，重达200磅。它生活在美国东南部的河流、湖泊、沼泽和运河中。
有多古老？
这种龟已经存在了数百万年。你看到的这只还活着，但像这样的龟自恐龙时代就已经存在了。
它是什么样的？
短吻鳄鳄龟有一种非常特殊的捕食方式。它的舌头上有一个像虫子一样的附属物，它会摆动它来吸引鱼类。当鱼靠近时，龟会迅速合上它强有力的下颌。它是水中的顶级捕食者。
为什么重要？
这种龟是其生态系统的重要组成部分。它有助于保持鱼类种群的平衡。但由于栖息地破坏、污染、杀虫剂以及人们为了肉而捕猎，它被列为近危物种。需要保护努力来保护它。
联系
接下来寻找
- 一张短吻鳄鳄龟使用舌头诱饵的图片。
- 另一种使用诱饵捕食的动物。
- 一个保护淡水龟的保护项目。