alligator snapping turtle

noun

variants: or alligator snapper

Definition of alligator snapping turtle

: a large freshwater turtle (Macrochelys temminckii synonym Macroclemys temminckii) of southeastern U.S. rivers that may reach nearly 150 pounds (68 kilograms) in weight and 31 inches (79 centimeters) in length and differs from the common snapping turtle in having a shell with three distinct ridges, a more triangular-shaped head, and a pink fleshy wormlike appendage in the mouth used as a lure

Examples of alligator snapping turtle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lord Fairfax, a 65-lb alligator snapping turtle, raised more than a few eyebrows when he was spotted lumbering through a residential neighborhood last week. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Meet Lord Fairfax, a 65-Pound Alligator Snapping Turtle That Turned up in a Virginia Neighborhood," 18 June 2020 His species -- the alligator snapping turtle -- isn't native to the area. — Resell Larthridge, CNN, "This is Lord Fairfax, a huge turtle found lumbering through a Virginia neighborhood," 17 June 2020 Their list mainly included fish, but also mammals like beavers, river dolphins and hippopotami, as well as coldblooded creatures like crocodiles, giant salamanders and alligator snapping turtles. — Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, "The Freshwater Giants Are Dying," 21 Jan. 2020 At least 460 alligator snapping turtles have been released by IDNR in the past five years, or are slated for release in August. — Nara Schoenberg, chicagotribune.com, "‘A face only its mother could love’: Ugly, cranky, endangered alligator snapping turtles get boost from Illinois students, who raise and release them into the wild," 27 July 2019 Louisiana Columbia: Some 14 alligator snapping turtles reared at a fish hatchery are now swimming about in the wild. — USA TODAY, "Crystal Cathedral reborn Catholic, 'Conjuring' house, Wiki ‘editathon’: News from around our 50 states," 11 July 2019 Adult alligator snapping turtles have formidable jaws. — USA TODAY, "Crystal Cathedral reborn Catholic, 'Conjuring' house, Wiki ‘editathon’: News from around our 50 states," 11 July 2019 Human finger found inside turtle in La.: A Louisiana sheriff's office is investigating the discovery of a human finger inside the body of an alligator snapping turtle. — Washington Post, "Rains may help douse wildfires in region," 17 June 2018 Like the alligator snapping turtle that Jason Weidert and his team, Blood, Sweat and Bonfires, have constructed in Garyville in St. John the Baptist Parish. — Littice Bacon-blood, NOLA.com, "Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee: What to know and where to go.," 15 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alligator snapping turtle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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alligator pear

alligator shears

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alligator tree

alligator weed

alligatorwood

Statistics for alligator snapping turtle

Cite this Entry

“Alligator snapping turtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alligator%20snapping%20turtle. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA