Alligator snapping turtle
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| phylum | Chordata | The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the world. The alligator snapping turtle is characterized by a large, heavy head, and a long, thick shell with three dorsal ridges of large scales (osteoderms), giving it a primitive appearance reminiscent of some of the plated dinosaurs. They can be immediately distinguished from the common snapping turtle by the three distinct rows of spikes and raised plates on the carapace, whereas the common snapping turtle has a smoother carapace.
For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. Get back to Snapping turtles |
| clade | Anapsida | |
| order | Testudines | |
| family | Chelydridae | |
| genus | Macrochelys | |
| species | M. temminckii |
