Details
Alligator snapping turtle
Macrochelys temminckii
Head and Neck:
Head is very large; jaws are tapered anteriorly, and both are strongly hooked; eyes open towards the side of the head; worm-like projection on the tongue, whichis used to lure prey; interior lining of the mouth is greyish brown with black speckles, approximating the color of the rest of the turtle
Body:
Carapace -dark brown to dark greyish brown; three prominent longitudinal ridges that may be worn down in old individuals; 3-8 small supramarginal scutes are present laterally between the marginal and costal scutes; carapace is posteriorly serrated
Plastron - narrow and cruciform; Light brown, greyish tan or cream in color
Limbs and tail:
Limbs are retractable under its carapace but they remain exposed below; the tail is large and includes a mid-dorsal row and two dorsolateral rows of scales elevated like dull saw teeth, these scales are less prominent than in Chelydra.