Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtle in North America — able to grow to more than 200 pounds and live 100 years. Texas is home to two species of snapping turtles: alligator snapping turtles (Macroclemys temminckii) and common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina).
The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) can mistakenly ingest plastic debris because it can resemble their natural prey like jellyfish or algae. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) considers the alligator snapping turtle a threatened species, and it is protected in the state of Texas. Meanwhile, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has published a proposed Endangered Species Act Threatened status with a 4(d) rule to afford further protections. A threatened species, they are vulnerable to illegal wildlife trade for their meat and shells and pollution in our waterways.