Full Grown Alligator Snapping Turtle: Size, Appearance, & More

Alligator snapping turtles are some of the largest freshwater turtles in North America. As impressive as they are as juveniles and subadults, a fully grown alligator snapper truly is a awe-inspiring sight to behold. In this guide, we'll explore what makes these turtles so unique at full maturity.

About the Alligator Snapping Turtle

Native to rivers, lakes and streams in the central and southeastern United States, alligator snapping turtles (scientific name: Macrochelys temminckii) belong to the chelydrid family of turtles.

They are considered a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and overcollection for food and the pet trade. Alligator snappers have a lifespan of over 50 years in captivity, making them a long-term commitment as exotic pets.

Size at Full Growth

Alligator snapping turtles are one of the largest freshwater turtle species. A fully mature male can reach shell lengths of over 20 inches, with some specimens exceeding 30 inches. Females grow even larger, achieving maximum reported shell lengths of over 36 inches. Their shells are not only long but also extremely wide, allowing for their massive bulk.

Length

• Males: 16-30 inches
• Females: 24-36 inches

Height

With their tall, domed shells, fully grown alligator snappers can stand over 12 inches tall at the highest point of the carapace.

Weight at Full Growth

Weighing up to 200 pounds, an adult female alligator snapper is truly an awe-inspiring giant of the freshwater world. Males reach weights of 50-100 pounds at full size.

Appearance at Full Growth

The shells of mature alligator snappers are a dark olive or black color, often with some lighter mottling or streaks. They develop large, powerful jaws equipped with saw-toothed ridges well-adapted for grasping prey. Another distinctive feature is the turtle's strong tail, which at full size is over half the length of the carapace.

Personality at Full Growth

As adults, alligator snapping turtles become increasingly solitary and territorial. They can be aggressive if provoked, using their massive size and strong jaws to defend themselves. However, they are not considered a threat to humans unless deliberately provoked or mishandled.

Price

Given their large size, long lifespan and high demand for the exotic pet trade, fully grown adult alligator snapping turtles fetch prices in the thousands of dollars. Well-established breeders may charge $5,000-10,000 for large confirmed breeding pairs.

Food/Feeding

In the wild, adult alligator snappers consume a wide range of prey from fish, frogs and snakes to small mammals, birds and carrion. In captivity, a varied protein-rich diet including earthworms, feeder fish, crayfish, mice and turkey or chicken pieces should be provided.

Feeding guidelines:

• Adult males: Feed 1-2 large feeder fish or small rodents 2-3 times per week.
• Adult females: Feed 2-3 large feeder fish or small rodents daily due to their enormous size.

Lifespan

With excellent care, alligator snapping turtles can live over 50-80 years. In the wild, their maximum lifespan is estimated at 35-40 years.

Health at Full Growth

Mature alligator snappers are generally very hardy as long as their habitat and nutritional needs are met. However, health issues such as shell or eye infections, metabolic bone disease or obesity due to overfeeding can potentially affect adult turtles.

Care and Nutritional Needs at Full Growth

Housing an adult alligator snapper requires at minimum an enclosure such as a stock tank or pond at least 4'x4' in surface area per turtle, with an additional 2" of water depth per inch of carapace length. A larger pond setup is best for multiple turtles or pairing. Water quality must be maintained through filtration and regular partial water changes. Basking and UVB lighting provide essential metabolic processes and calcium absorption for shell health. Substrates should allow for proper drainage.

Costing

The setup and maintenance costs for a fully grown alligator snapper are substantial. Estimated minimum annual expenses include the following:

• Enclosure - Stock tank or custom pond $1,000+
• Lighting and heating $200-500
• Filtration system $300-1,000+
• Substrate, decor, etc. $100-500
• Veterinary care (estimated) $100-300
• Food $200-500 per year

A quality habitat for even one large adult alligator snapper costs thousands of dollars to establish and maintain properly each year.

Possible Behavioral Changes at Full Growth

As alligator snapping turtles reach sexual maturity, some behavioral shifts may occur:

• Increased territorial aggression, especially during breeding season
• Males may compete/fight over access to females
• Nesting/breeding behaviors in females if pairing occurs

Careful introductions and separate enclosures for males are usually recommended at full size to avoid conflicts. Handling adult alligator snappers also requires more caution due to their strength and bite potential.

Notable Characteristics at Full Growth

A few amazing features of fully mature alligator snapping turtles include:

• Truly massive shells over 3 feet long in giant females
• Enormous 200+ pound weights attained
• Powerful tails nearly half the carapace length aid in swimming
• Muscular necks and strong jaws capable of taking large prey
• Impressive aggression displayed when threatened

When is an Alligator Snapper Considered Fully Grown?

Alligator snapping turtles reach sexual maturity at shell lengths between 15-22 inches, though continued growth may still occur beyond this size. For females, maximum shell size potential is generally achieved at 30+ inches. However, alligator snapping turtles are considered functionally mature much earlier than their final adult sizes.

Suitability as Pets

While impressive display animals when large aquariums or ponds are feasible, fully grown alligator snappers are not recommended pets for most households or owners inexperienced with giant turtles. Their size, strength, habitat requirements, dietary needs and potential risks associated with caring for them justify their classification as advanced exotic pets, if suitable at all.

In Summary

As they achieve maximum adult dimensions, sizes and traits over decades, fully mature alligator snapping turtles truly exemplify natural wonders. With astoundingly large shells, heavy body weights and formidable jaws, these ancient river giants command respect. Their care demands resources, expertise and long-term commitment befitting such truly magnificent animals.