Biologists in Kansas are working to bring back a species that hasn’t been seen for over 30 years in Kansas waters. The alligator snapping turtle will be reintroduced after not being seen since 1991. These reptiles are much larger than your average snapping turtle with big heads, a hooked beak and star-shaped eyes. Their most recognizable feature is their large shell which has three high-ridged rows, giving them an intimidating alligator-like appearance.
The alligator snapping turtle is one of 27 native Kansas species listed with the Kansas’ Aquatic Species Recovery Program. They used to be abundant, but were reduced to just a few due to overhunting, and construction of dams in the state. Their reintroduction into the state is not expected to cause any big upsets in the local ecosystem except for increased competition for resources with common snapping turtles that have taken over in the absence of the alligator snapping turtles. They will release them starting this fall.
