About Animal Facts Common Name: Alligator Snapping Turtle Scientific Name: Macrochelys temminckii Behavior: Live alone in swamps, canals, rivers, and lakes Can stay underwater for 45 minutes before taking another breath Use a worm-like projection on tongue to "fish" for prey Diet: Carnivore Weight: 175 lb Length: 2.5 ft Life Span: 50 yrs Gestation Period: 90 days Number of Young: 25 eggs Habitats: Aquatic (freshwater) Fun Facts: Their life span may reach or exceed 100 years. May remain so still underwater that algae grows on the shell. Males are much larger than females and may be over three feet long and weigh more than 200 pounds. Threats: Habitat Loss Poaching / Over Consumption Pollution Endangered Status Endangered Status Extinct in Wild (EW) Critically Endangered (CR) Endangered (EN) Vulnerable (VU) Near Threatened (NT) Least Concern (LC) Not Evaluated (NE) Care and Wellness Their Zoo habitat reflects a river bottom and lets the snapping turtle wait patiently on the bottom, luring a fish in close before striking. Although the turtle will respond to keepers when cued to feed, it often simply sits and waits.