US Reptiles Tour
   3 of 53   
 
Species Hierarchy 
Kingdom ANIMAL (ANIMALIA)
Phylum BACKBONED ANIMALS (CHORDATA)
Class REPTILES (REPTILIA)
Order TURTLES (CHELONIA)
Family TURTLES - SNAPPING (CHELYDRIDAE)
Common name: TURTLE - ALLIGATOR SNAPPING
Scentific name: MACROCLEMYS TEMMINCKII

SHELL
Location: REPTILE ZOO, MONROE, WA., USA, 2007

Species Info:

This lifeform is found south of the Mason Dixon line in North America. Parts of this lifeform are edible. This lifeform is scarce.

Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temmincki to Macroclemys temminckii) is found in the lower Mississippi River system from Cairo, Illinois, to the Atlantic Ocean. This species is larger than the Common Snapping Turtle. The record size is over 210 pounds. One unique feature of this species is the lure in its mouth that attracts small fish. This wormlike appendage wiggles and when the fish comes to investigate, it will usually become the turtle's dinner.

Snapping Turtle Family (Chelydridae) is found only in North  America. These animals are characterized by a long tail with  plates and a comparatively small shell system. There are either two or three species in this family depending up how one counts the Florida Snapping Turtle.

Turtle and Tortoise group (Order Chelonia) are among the most  primitive reptiles. They are egg-laying creatures characterized  by having four legs, a tail, and two shells each made up of many scales that are joined together. There are about two hundred and fifty species of turtles in the world. Carl  Ernst and Roger Barbour published a book entitled "Turtles of the World" by the Smithsonian Press in l989. This work covers all of the known species. The authors note that there are two hundred and fifty-seven species of living turtles. Many of these species are pictured and discussed here.

The following overview of the various families included in the Turtle Order is based on the aforementioned publication:

       SCIENTIFIC NAME     COMMON NAME         NUMBER OF SPECIES
       Pelomedusidae       Side Necked        23  species
       Chelidae            Side Necked        36  species
       Kinosternidae       Mud and Musk       22  species
       Dermatemydidae      River Turtle        1  species
       Carettochelyidae    Pig Nose            1  species
       Trionychidae        Soft Shelled       22  species
       Dermochelyidae      Leatherback         1  species
       Cheloniidae         Sea Turtles         6  species
       Chelydridae         Snapping turtles    2  species
       Platysternidae      Big Headed          1
       Emydidae            Pond and Box       91  species
       Testudinidae        Tortoises          50  species
                                       256 total species

While the above counts are currently reliable, they will be impacted by findings as research continues. For example, the exact count of the species of tortoises in the Galapagos and placement of the Florida Snapping Turtle might change these counts.

Reptiles (Class Reptilia) are an ancient group of scaled  chordates. These scales may be permanently joined, as in the  turtles, or flexible, as in the snakes. Reptiles are land-based. Their eggs are laid on land and the young are air breathing.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

 

Search Region:
World
Species Range:
Click to enlarge
Photos
(Click on an image below to display at left)

SHELL

OPEN MOUTH

FRONT VIEW OF HEAD

SIDE VIEW SWIMMING

SIDE VIEW

IN AQUARIUM

OPEN MOUTH

VENTRAL

IN AQUARIUM

 
 
   3 of 53