In What States Do Alligator Snapping Turtles Live?

No turtle in the United States exceeds the alligator snapping turtle in size. The shells of some of these turtles are over 30 inches long. Some specimens have tipped the scales at well over 200 pounds. Overharvesting of this species by people for food has threatened the alligator snapping turtle in parts of its range.

Habitat

Slow-moving rivers and large streams are the natural habitat of the alligator snapping turtle. It is not an accomplished swimmer and prefers to walk along the bottom to get around.

Deep South

In the Deep South, the alligator snapping turtle lives in southern Georgia, northern Florida, and the lower half of Alabama. It exists in all of Mississippi and most of Louisiana.

Lower Midwest

In the lower regions of the Midwest, alligator snapping turtles live in eastern portions of both Texas and Oklahoma.

Midwest

States such as Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Iowa, Kentucky, and Illinois contain waters that hold these turtles. The turtle once thrived in parts of Indiana as well but is now on the endangered list there.

Expert Insight

Humans rarely see the alligator snapping turtle. It typically only will leave the water during the breeding season.

References

• Center for reptile and amphibian conservation and management wensite
• Zoo Atlanta website
• Distribution map of alligator snapping turtle