alligator snapping turtle

noun

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.

Origin of alligator snapping turtle

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Also called alligator snapper.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018