Alligator Snapping Turtle Found At Center Hill Lake

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency recently discovered a dead alligator snapping turtle at Center Hill Lake.

Officer Mike Beaty said it’s a rare discovery because the amphibious reptile is primarily found in West Tennessee.

“We’re not supposed to have these around,” Beaty said. “They aren’t endangered or anything, but they’re a species that’s considered in need of conservation. They are doing a lot of studies on them in West Tennessee.”

Beaty said the TWRA has taken samples from the turtle to be analyzed. That will help determine the age and maybe give an idea on how the turtle made it’s way to the area.

Beaty said an alligator snapping turtle has never been found this far east in Tennessee.

According to the TWRA, Alligator snapping turtles prefer slow moving waters with soft substrate. They aren’t as long lived as other large turtles such as ocean turtles. Males live an average of 26 years and females live an average of 23 years.

The alligator snapping turtle is the largest turtle in Tennessee with an average carapace length of 20-24 inches.

Wildlife diversity biologist, Chris Simpson gathered data from the Center Hill Lake alligator snapping turtle, which included a carapace measurement of 19 and a half inches and an overall length of 48 inches.

The turtle was fairly decayed and could not be weighed. It is thought to be a male. Genetic material was also collected for further analysis.