Alligator Snapping Turtle (IMAGE)

University of Vermont

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Caption

Despite their heavy armor and fearsome jaws, alligator snapping turtles have been decimated by habitat destruction, overharvesting, illegal pet trade, water pollution and other assaults. New research by scientists in Florida and at the University of Vermont shows that these ancient reptiles -- with fossil records going back fifteen million years -- are more endangered than previously realized: their remaining populations are actually three different species.

Credit

Michael C. Granatosky

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