The alligator snapping turtle, an ancient-looking reptile, often sparks curiosity due to its imposing size and unique features. Many wonder if this creature, native to warmer climates, can be found in New York. Alligator snapping turtles are not native to New York State.
Understanding the Alligator Snapping Turtle
The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. It has a large, heavy head and a thick shell with three dorsal ridges or keels.
Their coloration typically ranges from solid gray, brown, black, or olive-green, often camouflaged by algae growth. Males can reach 13.8 to 31.8 inches in carapace length and weigh 19 to 176 pounds.
A unique adaptation is a worm-like appendage on their tongue, used as a lure to attract prey while the turtle lies motionless with its mouth open. These turtles are predominantly aquatic, preferring the deep waters of large rivers, canals, lakes, and swamps.
Their native range spans the southeastern United States, including the Florida Panhandle west to eastern Texas, and extending north into areas like southeastern Kansas, Missouri, and parts of Illinois, primarily within the Mississippi River watershed. In the wild, their lifespan typically ranges from 80 to 120 years, though some estimates suggest a potential for up to 200 years.
Alligator Snapping Turtles and New York
The primary reason for their absence is the significant difference in climate and habitat requirements. New York’s colder winters and the lack of the specific large, slow-moving river systems with extensive muddy bottoms and dense canopy cover that alligator snapping turtles prefer make the environment unsuitable for their natural establishment and survival. Their physiology is adapted to the warmer temperatures of the southeastern United States.
Isolated instances of alligator snapping turtles appearing in New York have occurred. These are almost always individuals that were kept as pets and subsequently released or escaped. For example, an alligator snapping turtle was found in the Genesee River in 2023, and another on Long Island in 2015, both believed to be abandoned pets. Releasing any non-native animal into the wild is illegal in New York, as it can harm local ecosystems and potentially introduce diseases.
Common Snapping Turtles in New York
New York State is home to the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), which is frequently mistaken for the alligator snapping turtle. Common snapping turtles are widespread across New York, inhabiting a variety of freshwater systems including lakes, ponds, rivers, and marshes. They typically prefer slow-moving, shallow areas with muddy bottoms where they can camouflage themselves.
Common snapping turtles are considerably smaller than their alligator counterparts, with shell lengths generally ranging from 8 to 20 inches and weights between 8 to 35 pounds.
Common snapping turtles have a smoother shell, especially as they age, unlike the alligator snapping turtle’s distinct three rows of spiked ridges. Their heads are smaller and more oval, lacking the massive, triangular shape and eyes positioned on the sides of the head seen in alligator snapping turtles.
Common snapping turtles also do not possess the unique worm-like tongue lure. If a large turtle is encountered in New York, it is almost certainly a common snapping turtle.
If a common snapping turtle is seen on land, particularly crossing a road, it is often a female searching for a nesting site. It is advisable to maintain a safe distance and avoid handling them by the tail, as they have a strong bite. If assistance is necessary, the turtle should be moved in the direction it was already heading, using caution.