*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names: Loggerhead
Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.
Description:
Similar Species:
Species Range:
Louisiana Range: Statewide, but records lacking from many parishes.
Habitat:
Natural History:
Best Time and Place to Observe:
Global Conservation Status: Western Alligator Snapping Turtles are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G3G4 (Vulnerable to Apparently Secure).
Federal Conservation Status: The Western Alligator Snapping Turtle is ‘Under Review’ for federal protection.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Alligator Snapping Turtles have a ranking of S2 (imperiled because of rarity – 6-20 known extant populations) in Louisiana. Alligator Snapping Turtles are a restricted species in Louisiana, where, with a proper license, they may be taken, but take and possession is limited to one per person per day with a possession limit of one. No more than 10 restricted turtles (maximum of two per species, except Alligator Snapping Turtle which is one) are allowed in possession. can take no more than one Alligator Snapping Turtle per day, per person, per vehicle/vessel.
*** If you live in the range of this species in Louisiana and believe you may have observed this species please let me know (take a picture if possible), as there may be more unknown populations in the state.***
Author's Remarks: Prior to 2018 I had only observed a single wild individual of this species in near Manchac, Louisiana, in the early 2000s. In 2018 I helped a colleague to capture five in Mississippi to learn on the job before starting on our own project in southwest Louisiana where we caught several in Beauregard Parish. In 2019 we captured several more in a few locations in south-central Louisiana. In 2020 we began a capture-mark-recapture study on the species. We captured plenty of juveniles as bycatch in many places in southern Louisiana while trapping for Razor-backed Musk Turtles from 2020-2025.
