alligator snapper

noun

Meaning

A massive, bottom-dwelling freshwater turtle native to the southeastern United States, characterized by a spiked, ridged shell and a specialized lure on its tongue.

Examples

  • The alligator snapper is one of the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world.
  • Researchers carefully relocated the alligator snapper to a deeper part of the swamp.

Synonyms: turtle, snapping turtle, macrochelys temminckii