Alligator snapping turtle

The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large species of turtle in the familyChelydridae. They are the largest freshwater turtle in North America. The species is endemic to freshwater habitats in the United States. M. temminckii is one of the heaviest living freshwater turtles in the world. It is often associated with, but not closely related to, the common snapping turtle, which is in the genus Chelydra. The specific epithettemminckii is in honor of Dutch zoologistCoenraad Jacob Temminck.