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}} The alligator snapping turtle (''Macrochelys temminckii'') is one of the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world, having been recently proven outweighed by the Hoan Kiem Turtle, a giant softshell turtle. It is often associated with, but not closely related to, the common snapping turtle, which is in the genus ''Chelydra''. The specific epithet ''temminckii'' is in honor of Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck. Although it was once believed to be only one species, a recent study suggests that it is actually three separate species; ''Macrochelys temminckii'', ''Macrochelys suwanniensis'', and ''Macrochelys apalachicolae''. The alligator snapping turtle is given its name because of its immensely powerful jaws and long, spring-like neck, as well as distinct ridges on its shell that are similar to the rough, ridged skin of an alligator. ==Distribution and habitat== The alligator snapping turtle is found primarily in southeastern United States waters. They are found from the Florida Panhandle west to East Texas, north to southeastern Kansas, Missouri, southeastern Iowa, western Illinois, southern Indiana, western Kentucky, and western Tennessee. They are found on the Missouri River at least as far north as the Gavins Point Dam, the southernmost dam on the Missouri River at Yankton, South Dakota, and are featured in the Gavins Point Dam Aquarium. Typically, only nesting females venture onto open land. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「alligator snapping turtle」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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