SAPL - Read the Zoo: Alligator Snapping Turtle

Read the Zoo: Turtles

Chomp!...Chomp!...Chomp!...

Alligator snapping turtle (courtesy of Endangered Species at Ellen Trout Zoo website)

How would you like to have a tongue shaped like a fishing lure? Alligator snapping turtles have tongues that look like worms and they use them to catch fish. These turtles lie still in the mud on the bottom of a lake or stream with their mouths wide open. When they wiggle the worm-like projection on their tongues, tit attracts fish who see the "worm" as an easy meal. When the fish comes close enough, the turtle grabs it with its strong sharp jaws.

In addition to their worm-like tongues, alligator snapping turtles have "knobby" shells that are often covered by algae. This helps them to remain hidden or camouflaged. The inside of the mouth is dark, so all the approaching fish sees is the worm-like tongue!

Turtles, like other aquatic reptiles, must come to the surface to breathe. Because they can hold their breath for up to 40 to 50 minutes at a time, alligator snapping turtles have longer periods of time to catch fish. How long can you hold your breath?

Alligator snapping turtles do not spend all of their time waiting around for fish. Sometimes, they walk along the bottom actively hunting larger prey like frogs, snakes, crayfish and other turtles. As the largest North American freshwater turtle, they can weigh up to 200 pounds and can live to be over 100 years old. They are found in rivers, streams and lakes in Texas and other states in the south central U.S.

Remember to check out the alligator snapping turtles on your next visit to the San Antonio Zoo. They are found both in the aquarium and the waterfowl areas. Be sure to look closely, they are masters of disguise.

C O O L F A C T S	C O O L W E B S I T E S
Live to be 100 years old May hold their breath for almost 1 hour Weigh up to 200 pounds Have a tongue like a worm Masters of camouflage Algae grows on their shells	California Turtle & Tortoise Club Endangered Species at Ellen Trout Zoo Texas Parks & Wildlife
R E A D A B O U T T U R T L E S
FRANKLIN EN LA OSCURIDAD Paulette Bourgeois Lectorum Publications, 1998 Franklin is afraid of the dark and asks advice from other animals. Franklin tiene miedo de la oscuridad y pide consejos de los otros animales. Juvenile Español Fácil Bourgeois FRANKLIN’S CLASSIC TREASURY Paulette Bourgeois Kids Can Press, 1999 Four adventures featuring Franklin the turtle are brought together in this collection. Juvenile Easy Bourgeois GIANT TURTLE Rebecca Stefoff Benchmark Books, 1997 The behaviors and physical characteristics of large turtles and tortoises, including the Gal·pagos tortoise that can weigh over 500 pounds! Juvenile 597.92 Stefoff ROADSIGNS: AN AESOP FABLE Adapted by Margery Cuyler Winslow Press, 2000 A cleverly illustrated version of the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare shows them racing along a road filled with traffic signs. Juvenile Easy Cuyler SEA TURTLES Gail Gibbons Holiday House, 1995 The sea turtle has survived for over 200 million years! Take a look at the sea turtle’s unique characteristics and see how the species outlived the dinosaurs. Juvenile 597.92 Gibbons TURTLE AND SNAKE AT WORK Kate Spohn Viking, 1999 Turtle and Snake realize the importance of responsibility when they go off to work. Juvenile Beginner Spohn TURTLE SONGS: A TALE FOR MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS Margaret Olivia Wolfson Beyond Words Publishing, 1999 When he hears their plaintive songs, the sea god turns Rani and her mother into sea turtles to keep them safe from kidnappers. Juvenile 398.2 Wolfson TURTLES Anita Baskin-Salzberg Watts, 1996 Did you know that the alligator snapper can grow to over 300 pounds? Or that some species of turtles live to be over 100 years old? Learn about the endangered status of some species. Juvenile 597.92 Baskin-Salzberg TURTLES Susan Schafer Benchmark Books, 1999 A book chockfull of fun facts about turtles and tortoises. For instance, did you know that the African pancake tortoise is the flattest turtle? And if you are looking for a different kind of pet, there is a section on how to raise and care for a turtle. Juvenile 597.92 Schafer Compiled & annotated: Cara Waits & Rose Treviño 9/00 Check the San Antonio Public Library's Online Catalog for availability.

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