Found a little turtle (3-4 in. long) near our front door. He was headed toward our neighborhood pond. From all the research I could do on-line, I'm pretty convinced he's an alligator snapping turtle. In my research, I also learned that he's an endangered species, so I want to do the right thing here. I would prefer not to release him to our pond, and I'm not sure if I send him the other direction he won't try to return. For now, he's in a plastic box on our back deck.

It is more likely that the turtle is a common snapping turtle. It can be difficult to tell them apart from the alligator snapping turtles when they are young. If it is an alligator snapping turtle it should be released near the nearest body of water where it was found. If it is a common snapping turtle and you do not want it in your pond, try to find the closest stream, pond, etc. that you can and get permission from the landowner to release the turtle there. People often have negative feelings towards snapping turtles. But they are important members of the aquatic community. They eat dead and sick fish and other small aquatic animals. This helps to keep the pond healthy. You may find that the snapping turtle will be a better "neighbor" than you think.

How do you tell the difference between an alligator snapping turtle and the common variety?

Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtle in North America. They have a more strongly serrated carapace (shell) than the common snapping turtle. You can see photos and learn about descriptions and species distributions at: http://www.inhs.illinois.edu/animals_plants/herps/species/ma_temminc.html and http://www.inhs.illinois.edu/animals_plants/herps/species/ch_serpent.html

My neighbor ran over a alligator snapping turtle by accident. The shell is split on top and on both sides. It is a large turtle. There is a creek behind our house where we live and I assume this is where the turtle came from. I need suggestions as to what to do or how to proceed in the care of this turtle. I do not feel it would be humane to just release it back into the creek in the condition it is in. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I apologize for the delay on a response; I have been out of the office. Is the turtle still alive?

I found a baby alligator snapping turtle in a plastic bag in the river and lucky i found him or he would have idk died ig but he is safe at my school in a fish tank for now and if and info on this kind of snapping turtle email me At Maiganquigley@gmail.com thank you

I think alligator snapping turtles are endangered in Illinois. If so, how does that apply to a person's land that they have owned for years if some are found to have settled and nested there? For the past several years my friend has found them (in the hatchling and juvenile stages) all over his property near and in his private pond that he stocks with fish. They seem to be sort of a nuisance to him. He has given some of the babies away as pets to folks who keep them for a short while then release them into the national parks when they get too big. He doesn't want officials coming on to his land and forcing him to do anything, so he has not reported the nests. Do you think any laws have been broken at this point? I'm simply trying to help him out.

You are right. Alligator snapping turtles are listed as endangered in Illinois. And yes, it does sound like laws have been unintentionally broken. Because they are a listed species, permits are required to possess, kill, transport, sell, give, or otherwise dispose of individual alligator snapping turtles. It doesn't matter how long the person has owned the land. Please let me know if you have more questions.