References. Large alligator snapping turtles have been known to kill and eat American alligators. Thats as heavy as two and a half toilets! It grows larger the its cousin, the Common Snapping Turtle, but it is not as aggressive. Although armed with powerful jaws and sharp claws, the alligator snapper is still a turtle, after all, and cant chase after prey at high speed. But, for the most part, alligator snapping turtles are opportunistic predators. Eggs and juveniles are consumed by fish, raccoons, and birds, but the only predator of fully grown adults is humans. They will also eat aquatic plants. Alligator snapping turtles are very important as they are main predators and scavengers in their environment. Their usual diet includes fish, carcasses, mollusks, amphibians, worms, snakes, water birds, crayfish, aquatic mammals, and other turtles. While these turtles are thought to be less aggressive than the common snapping turtle, the powerful bite of an alligator snapping turtle can be both painful and damaging to humans. The underside of this turtle features a strong plate called a plastron. 1. This plate is not large enough to allow a snapping turtle to retreat completely into its shell. Liquid Lifestyle. PREDATORS Juveniles may be consumed by fish, otters, or wading birds; and raccoons have been known to raid nests. Though adult alligator snappers don't have to worry much about animal predators, their eggs and hatchlings make a tasty meal for large fish, raccoons, and birds. Alligator snapping turtles are almost totally aquatic (water-dwelling). The prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America and among the largest in the world. Mature alligator snapping turtles have no known predators. Discover fascinating facts about the alligator snapping turtle. The turtles typical lifespan in the wild is between 11 and 45 years, but captive alligator snapping turtles have lived to 70 years of age. In fact, the Alligator Snapping Turtle barely even moves. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is the largest species of freshwater turtle in North America. Alligator Snapping Turtle Predators. Reproductive maturity is reached at 11 to 13 years. Are Alligator Snapping Turtles Dangerous To Humans? It moves so little that algae often covers its shell. This turtle can remain submerged for 3 hours. Alligator snapping turtle This infamous predator is the largest freshwater turtle in North America; it can weigh up to 100 kgs or more, and lives in southern US lakes, rivers and swamps. Learn what it eats, how it reproduces, and how long it lives. As eggs and hatchlings they are vulnerable to predation by large fish, herons, crows, raccoons, skunks and snakes. These turtles lie on the floor of their habitat with their mouths gaping open, and can stay underwater for up to an hour before going to the surface for air. Alligator snapping turtles are both major predators and opportunistic scavengers in their environment. Alligator snapping turtles are ambush predators, meaning that they wait for their prey to come to them with extreme strategy. These turtles can impact fish species as well as other turtle species due to their large food consumption, while also helping to clean up decaying organisms in their habitat. The largest snapping turtle on record is an alligator snapping turtle weighing 249 pounds. The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large freshwater turtle native to the United States. These turtles help control populations of their main prey species and also help to clean up their habitat feeding on carrion. (Conant, et al., 1992) Ecosystem Impact; biodegradation