"Alabama's Most Impressive Alligator Snapping Turtle: A Weird Wonder"

The alligator snapping turtle, a 200-pound, 100 year-old creature with a prehistoric appearance and powerful jaws, is considered one of Alabama's most impressive and terrifying animals. Known for its longevity and slow reproduction, the species has faced population declines due to human activities and is now a protected species in Alabama. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering adding the alligator snapping turtle to the federal Endangered Species List, although some experts are uncertain about its endangered status due to the challenges of studying these creatures in their natural habitat.