The webbed toes are equipped with large, strong claws. Adult alligator snapping turtles range in shell length from 15 to 26 inches. A snapping turtle's weight may range from 35 to 105 pounds. The largest alligator snapping turtle found in Missouri weighed 128 pounds. This is the largest freshwater turtle species in the world.
Adults have dark brown heads, legs and shells.
The skin on the neck and other areas may be yellowish brown. Males have longer tails than females and are at least twice their weight. Ernst, C., J. Lovich, and R. Barbour. Turtles of the United States. Smithsonian Institution Press.