Jul. 2012-Alligator Snapping Turtle and Chinese Alligator

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  Moebelle

• 25 Jul 2012

Reptile House

 

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  joshgrossglaza

• 26 Jul 2012

That's actually an alligator snapping turtle

 

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  Moebelle

• 26 Jul 2012

joshgrossglaza said:

That's actually an alligator snapping turtle

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The sign says its a Florida, plus they only get up to 18 inches.

 

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  Kudu21

• 27 Jul 2012

Looking at the picture you posted of the sign at the exhibit (http://www.zoochat.com/556/jul-2012-snapping-turtle-signs-279328/), it appears that both species are kept in the exhibit. This is most certainly an alligator snapping turtle.

This is a Florida snapping turtle (Though, of course, this isn't considered a valid subspecies by many):
SNAPPING TURTLE

 

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  Moebelle

• 27 Jul 2012

My apologies as you are correct. It appears that the Florida turtle is a subspecies of the common snapping turtle.

 

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  Kudu21

• 27 Jul 2012

Well, some believe it is, but most consider the common snapping turtle to be without subspecies; the other two former subspecies, the South American snapping turtle and Central American snapping turtle, are considered their own species.

 

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  BeardsleyZooFan

• 27 Jul 2012

Why is there an Alligator Snapping Turtle with a Chinese Alligator?

 

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  Moebelle

• 27 Jul 2012

BeardsleyZooFan said:

Why is there an Alligator Snapping Turtle with a Chinese Alligator?

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Not sure why but there are also red-eared sliders in the exhibit so maybe its just a random mixed-species habitat or the zoo needed to put the animals somewhere.