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.