Date Taken: 4/17/2023

Appearance: Large reptile with a stocky, armored body and a long, muscular tail. They have a broad, rounded snout and powerful jaws lined with sharp teeth. Their skin is covered in covered in bony plates called scutes, which provide protection and help with thermoregulation

Habitat:  Native to the southeastern United States, primarily found in freshwater habitats such as swamps, marshes, rivers, lakes, and ponds

Behavior: Cold-blooded reptiles who rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. They are opportunistic predators and feed on a variety of prey, including fish, turtles, snakes, birds, and mammals

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern