alligator snapping turtle
noun
variants or alligator snapper
: a large freshwater turtle (Macrochelys temminckii synonym Macroclemys temminckii) of southeastern U.S. rivers that may reach nearly 150 pounds (68 kilograms) in weight and 31 inches (79 centimeters) in length and differs from the common snapping turtle in having a shell with three distinct ridges, a more triangular-shaped head, and a pink fleshy wormlike appendage in the mouth used as a lure
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The Longview, Texas resident hooked a massive alligator snapping turtle on Father's Day, the biggest he's ever seen. 
Ariana Garcia, Chron, 23 June 2022 However, since the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department considers the the alligator snapping turtle a threatened species worthy of being protected by the state, Broomhall decided to release the turtle back into the water, unharmed. Ariana Garcia, Chron, 23 June 2022 The service proposed threatened status in April for the related Suwannee alligator snapping turtle, found in the Suwannee River basin in Georgia and Florida. Janet Mcconnaughey, sun-sentinel.com, 9 Nov. 2021 That includes a Burmese python that goes by Phil, and Rocko — an alligator snapping turtle that is among Levins’ favorites. Bill Jones, chicagotribune.com, 11 Oct. 2021 The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the Western Hemisphere. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 14 May 2021 Lord Fairfax, a 65-lb alligator snapping turtle, raised more than a few eyebrows when he was spotted lumbering through a residential neighborhood last week. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 18 June 2020 His species -- the alligator snapping turtle -- isn't native to the area. Resell Larthridge, CNN, 17 June 2020 Their list mainly included fish, but also mammals like beavers, river dolphins and hippopotami, as well as coldblooded creatures like crocodiles, giant salamanders and alligator snapping turtles. Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2020 See More
Ariana Garcia, Chron, 23 June 2022 However, since the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department considers the the alligator snapping turtle a threatened species worthy of being protected by the state, Broomhall decided to release the turtle back into the water, unharmed. Ariana Garcia, Chron, 23 June 2022 The service proposed threatened status in April for the related Suwannee alligator snapping turtle, found in the Suwannee River basin in Georgia and Florida. Janet Mcconnaughey, sun-sentinel.com, 9 Nov. 2021 That includes a Burmese python that goes by Phil, and Rocko — an alligator snapping turtle that is among Levins’ favorites. Bill Jones, chicagotribune.com, 11 Oct. 2021 The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the Western Hemisphere. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 14 May 2021 Lord Fairfax, a 65-lb alligator snapping turtle, raised more than a few eyebrows when he was spotted lumbering through a residential neighborhood last week. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 18 June 2020 His species -- the alligator snapping turtle -- isn't native to the area. Resell Larthridge, CNN, 17 June 2020 Their list mainly included fish, but also mammals like beavers, river dolphins and hippopotami, as well as coldblooded creatures like crocodiles, giant salamanders and alligator snapping turtles. Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1876, in the meaning defined above