| a large American snapping turtle, Macroclemys temmincki, having three prominent ridges on its shell and a wormlike process on the floor of the mouth used to attract prey. |
| alligator snapping turtle n. A large freshwater snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii) of the south-central United States, having a rough carapace and powerful hooked jaws. Also called alligator snapper. |