Few animals look more dinosaur-like than the alligator snapping turtle, because of their sheer size and short thick necks supporting large heads covered with branching, fleshy projections.
Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in North America.
Found only in rivers and streams that drain into the Gulf of Mexico, the average adult weighs from 35-150 pounds, but may grow to more than 250 pounds. To catch fish, these turtles hold their mouths open and wiggle a small, pink, lure-like appendage at passing fish. Once the fish sees the lure and tries to eat it, the turtle snaps its powerful hooked jaws shut and gobbles up dinner. Alligator snapping turtles may live more than 100 year See alligator snapping turtles in the Delta Country gallery. Sturgeon swim today practically unchanged from the way they were when T-Rex roamed the earth.