Status and Distribution of the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) in Southeastern Missouri

Abstract

Macrochelys temminckii Harlan (Alligator Snapping Turtle) is a large aquatic turtle species that has been experiencing population declines throughout its range. Unfortunately, little is known about the species' basic biology or historic status throughout the majority of its range. In order to better understand the status and distribution of M. temminckii in southeastern Missouri, we visited 50 sites with suitable habitat and trapped at 19 of them in Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, and Pemiscot counties, MO in 1994. We captured 37 M. temminckii at four sites in Pemiscot and Dunklin counties. The Dunklin County site was resampled in 1997, and radio transmitters were attached to 11 Alligator Snapping Turtles (6 males: 4 females: 1 unknown sex). Telemetered turtles were found at microhabitats consisting of more cover, high-density canopy, and lower gradient banks than random locations. We noted a significant difference in turtle size between sites that have and those that have not experienced historical take of Alligator Snapping Turtles.