Macrochelys temminckii (alligator snapping turtle) 1 (15101339964)

Description:

Description: Macrochelys temminckii Troost, 1835 - alligator snapping turtle (captive, Newport Aquarium, Newport, Kentucky, USA). This large, heavy, freshwater aquatic turtle is a ambush hunter. It lies still on a substrate and uses a bright pink-colored, worm-like structure on its tongue to attract potential prey, such as fish. The jaws of this animal are exceedingly powerful. Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Vertebrata, Reptilia, Anapsida, Chelonia, Chelydridae The turtles & tortoises (chelonians) are an ancient group of reptiles that have a Triassic to Holocene stratigraphic record. Turtles are most easily recognized by their shell - some forms can retract the head & limbs into the shell when threatened, while other species cannot. Their overall body plan has changed very little since the Triassic - a great example of conservative evolution. Chelonians occur in terrestrial, freshwater, brackish-water, and marine settings. Date: 14 May 2006, 14:19. Source: Macrochelys temminckii (alligator snapping turtle) 1. Author: James St. John.