Hard to see

With its jagged shell and grey-brown colours, the alligator snapping turtle blends in with its surroundings on the riverbed. It hides among tree roots and rocks, waiting for its prey.

Sticks out its tongue

When the alligator snapping turtle hunts, it lies completely still with its mouth open. The only thing that moves is its tongue, which looks like a worm. When a fish is lured into its gaping mouth by the worm-like appendage, the mouth snaps shut.

Holds its breath

The alligator snapping turtle lies in wait for its prey and moves very little. Because it lies still, the turtle uses very little oxygen and therefore only needs to go up for air every 50 minutes.

A giant

The alligator snapping turtle is the largest of the freshwater turtles. Some male turtles weigh up to 113kg. The smaller females weigh around 23kg.

Conserves its strength

It is a fact that turtles can reach a very ripe old age. The secret lies in the turtles’ carapace and their low metabolism. By using as little energy as possible, the turtle’s body does not produce the large quantity of waste matter, which would otherwise have an ageing effect. The hard carapace also ensures that it survives longer.

An old acquaintance

Alligator snapping turtles can reach the age of 40. We have had our alligator snapping turtle since 1993. It is one of the animals that moved with us when the old National Aquarium of Denmark in Charlottenlund closed.

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