What is the difference between the alligator snapping turtle and the common snapping turtle
Snapping turtles are divided into two major types: the alligator snapping turtle and the common snapping turtle. The alligator snapping turtle is also known as the true snapping turtle and comes from the southeastern United States in North America. The common snapping turtle is also known as the snapping turtle and has four subspecies, namely the North American, Florida, South American and Central American. Let us now take a look at what the differences are between the alligator snapping turtle and the common snapping turtle!
Difference in the head
The alligator snapping turtle has a relatively pointed head, while the common snapping turtle has a relatively round head. The upper jaw of the alligator snapping turtle resembles an eagle's beak, with a large hook, while the upper jaw of the common snapping turtle resembles a hook, but with a small hook. The alligator snapping turtle can turn its head to suddenly attack other animals, while the common snapping turtle can turn its head along with its body to look for a target to attack, and even chase and bite.
Difference in the mouth
The mouth of the alligator snapping turtle is longer than that of the common snapping turtle, and its tongue is a red structure, while the common snapping turtle does not have these features.
Difference in the carapace
The carapace peaks of the alligator snapping turtle are very obvious, while the peaks of the common snapping turtle are not obvious, being almost a flat back, and the carapace looks relatively round. The carapace of the alligator snapping turtle has 3 raised longitudinal ridges, brown in color, and each scute has a protrusion; the plastron is brown and it has a supramarginal scute. The carapace of the common snapping turtle is brownish yellow or dark brown, with 3 longitudinal ridges, and the costal scutes are slightly raised; as time goes on, the ridges gradually wear down.
Difference in the abdomen
The abdomen of the alligator snapping turtle has countless barbels, while the abdomen of the common snapping turtle has only a small number of barbels; the plastron is grayish white and has no supramarginal scute.
Difference in the tail
The tail of the alligator snapping turtle is relatively long, while the tail of the common snapping turtle is relatively short; the back of the tail has a sawtooth-shaped ridge, also called the tail spine.
Difference in growth speed
The alligator snapping turtle grows slowly when young, and after it grows to 250 grams, its growth speed increases. Under artificially controlled temperature conditions, it takes only 1 year to go from 250 grams to 2500 grams, and the largest individual found in nature reaches more than 100 kg. The common snapping turtle grows slowly below 50 grams; growing from 7 grams to 50 grams takes about 80 days. Under controlled temperature conditions, a common snapping turtle of about 50 grams growing to 2500 grams, or a hatchling of about 7 grams growing on average to 1500 grams, takes only 1 year. In the natural state, an individual common snapping turtle can grow to more than 23 kg. The difference in growth speed between the alligator snapping turtle and the common snapping turtle is mainly caused by their different habits. The alligator snapping turtle is lazy in temperament and is not good at actively feeding; it relies on a “tongue” that closely resembles an earthworm to lure small fish to “take the bait”. The common snapping turtle can actively feed, so its growth speed is naturally a bit faster than that of the alligator snapping turtle. Therefore, there are more common snapping turtles bred in the country than alligator snapping turtles.