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Chelydra serpentina
Large freshwater turtle with rugged, muscular builds and ridged carapaces (though ridges tend to be more pronounced in younger individuals). The carapace (upper shell) length in adulthood may be nearly 50 cm (20 in), though 25–47 cm (9.8–19 in), is more common. C. serpentina usually weighs 4.5–16 kg (9.9–35 lb).
Common habitats are shallow ponds, shallow lakes, or streams. Some may inhabit brackish environments, such as estuaries. This one was photographed at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park near Augusta, GA.
The snapper is an aquatic ambush hunter, capturing its prey with its beak-like jaws
Spotted on Feb 18, 2013
Submitted on Feb 18, 2013
2 Comments
Fishnlove, thanks for your feedback. I just checked the range map for alligator snapping turtle, and it's range does not include my area of east-central Georgia near Augusta. It does resemble an alligator snapper, but the alligator snapper has much bonier plates on the carapace.
This looks like an alligator snapping turtle