Saving the Alligator Snapper

“Biology and Conservation of Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys)” is out, published June 7 as Special Issue 12, Vol. 22 of Southeastern Naturalist. Our workshop leader and friend John L. Carr, Professor Emeritus at University of Louisiana Monroe, and two colleagues, Ethan J. Kessler of the University of Illinois and Gerald R. Johnston of Santa Fe College (Gainesville, FL), co-edited this collection of the latest science on alligator snappers.

“It is the single largest source of information on this uniquely southeastern U.S.A. group of turtles, which are the largest in North America and currently under consideration for listing as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act,” Carr said.

*An alligator snapping turtle (*Macrochelys temminckii) lurks in the leaf litter on the bottom of Black Bayou Lake near the boardwalk, it’s mouth open waiting for dinner to wander in. Night photo by Charles Paxton.

Two of the 28 articles in the Special Issue report research conducted at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Monroe and a third covers the northeastern region of Louisiana. Alligator snappers also occur in Bayou Desiard, which runs through the ULM campus.

Carr and his co-editors note in the introduction to the volume that whether or not alligator snappers receive federal endangered species protection, they are already considered threatened and at risk for extinction in many states throughout their range.

The interior of an alligator snapper’s mouth is dark, except for the pink, worm-like “lure” that entices prey within range of its powerful, sharp beak. Members of LMN-NE were privileged to get a good, close look at this gravid female, captured by Carr’s graduate students in Bayou Desiard and released back into the bayou after our 2021 herps workshop. Photo by Bette J. Kauffman.

“It is truly an impressive volume that should prove to be a valuable resource for all those interested in the natural history and conservation of these iconic turtles,” said Keith Goldfarb, Editor-in-Chief of Southeastern Naturalist.

Louisiana Master Naturalists – Northeast is proud to have supported this project financially. We are even more grateful that John Carr is quick to lead a herps certification workshop for us whenever we ask.