Distribution and Habitat
The largest freshwater turtle in North America, the alligator snapping turtle is found primarily in southeastern United States waters. They are found from eastern Texas east to the Florida panhandle, and north to southeastern Kansas, Missouri, southeastern Iowa, western Illinois, southern Indiana, western Kentucky, and eastern Tennessee. Typically only nesting females will venture onto open land.
Due to the exotic pet trade and habitat destruction the species has become protected by states, and is considered a threatened species. This endangerment brought it to Asia and Europe with a breeding/research center found in Japan.
Read more about this topic: Alligator Snapping Turtle
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