Origin
The prehistoric turtle-looking alligator is the largest freshwater frog in North America and among the largest in the world.
With its barbed, thick shell, this species is often referred to as the "dinosaur of the turtle world".
Found almost exclusively in the rivers, canals and lakes of the southeastern United States, alligator luthianids can live from 50 to 100 years.
Feeding the alligator turtle
The alligator turtle is a carnivorous animal. It is also considered a water sanitary because it eats and dies.
It uses a unique natural lure in hunting technique, its tongue of a bright red color similar to the flesh of other creatures ( worms ), is used as bait when the turtle frog sits motionless on the bottom of the river attracting curious fish.
Features alligator turtle
Males have an average of 66 cm in carapace length and weigh about 80 kilograms, although cases exceeding 100 kilograms are known. Females have much smaller carapace and weigh about 23 kg.
Humans capture them for their meat and Shell to sell in the exotic animal trade. A severe reduction in population due to poaching and habitat loss has led to the species being endangered in the United States.
Her bite is very strong. It is known that turtles generally have a strong bite. It is classified as the second most powerful bite in the world.
Alligator turtle breeding
It reaches maturity at the age of 12 years. Mating occurs annually in early spring in southern species and late spring in northern species.
The female builds a nest and hatches 5 to 10 eggs two months later. The sex of alligator turtle chicks depends on the temperature at which the eggs were incubated.
Nests are usually placed 50m from the water so that they are not flooded. Incubation lasts from 100 to 140 days.
Their longevity in the Wild is unknown. It is assumed that they can live even 200 years in good conditions, but most likely they live 80-120 years.
