In May 2021, a newspaper reported the capture of a “rare alligator snapping turtle” in Thi Nai Lagoon (Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh).
However, Chinese media indicate that this species, originally from the southern United States, is now rampant in southern China. Alligator snapping turtles are robust, aggressive creatures, and Chinese authorities are expressing concern about this situation.
Dangerous alligator snapping turtle
A Gluttonous Monster
The alligator snapping turtle, a large carnivorous animal, has quietly invaded lakes and rivers in China, threatening native species.
Originating from North America, alligator snapping turtles have been imported in large numbers to China over the years, where they are raised for meat and sold to those seeking unique pet species.
On Chinese e-commerce websites, young alligator snapping turtles can be purchased for as little as 20 yuan (3 USD) each. However, buyers often do not realize that their new pet will eventually grow into a monster.
When fully grown, alligator snapping turtles can reach sizes up to 80 kg, featuring long claws, a beak, and a carapace with sharp ridges. If threatened, they will attack and can tear apart anything in sight. Their bite can sever a finger instantly.
Currently, these turtles seem to be gradually adapting and infiltrating the natural ecosystem, raising concerns among authorities and biologists in China, according to the Sixth Tone magazine.
Chinese media reports have documented dozens of alligator snapping turtle sightings in river regions over the past decade. A study published in 2020 identified the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River as particular hotspots for these turtles.
Scientists warn that if these turtles adapt and begin to breed outside captivity, they could severely disrupt local ecosystems. They are notoriously gluttonous and can decimate everything from fish, frogs, and smaller turtles to any unsuspecting mammals in the water. A range of native species in China could be at risk.
Alligator snapping turtles invading ecosystems in China
“This invasive creature is a born predator. Right after hatching, they consume invertebrates, fish, tadpoles, and gradually prey on larger targets as they grow… A lot can fit into their jaws,” says David Dudgeon, a freshwater biology professor at the University of Hong Kong. “Native turtles will be severely threatened, as alligator snapping turtles can compete for food, eat juvenile turtles, or even mature individuals.”
Alligator snapping turtles seem to be infiltrating ecosystems through various channels. In some cases, farms have been flooded, allowing captive turtles to escape. Tens of millions of turtles are bred in China each year for food, pets, and traditional Chinese medicine, with alligator snapping turtles being a popular choice due to their large size.
There are also instances of intentional releases into the wild. Chinese Buddhists often release fish, turtles, and other animals into nature (a practice known as “liberation”). Furthermore, pet owners may abandon alligator snapping turtles once they realize the creature is not an ordinary turtle.
Last year, a Chinese fisherman caught an alligator snapping turtle from a river. The turtle’s shell was decorated with symbols and Buddhist verses. In another incident, locals called the police after spotting a man releasing two alligator snapping turtles into the Jialing River, a tributary of the Yangtze, in the southwestern city of Chongqing.
Chinese authorities are trying to control the practice of liberating animals, which has resulted in a large number of non-native species being released into rivers and lakes, disrupting the balance of local ecosystems. Invasive species are viewed as a significant threat to China’s biodiversity.
In 2020, government experts included alligator snapping turtles on the list of 17 dangerous non-native species when released into China’s freshwater ecosystems. The reasons cited include the turtles’ consumption of large quantities of native fish, amphibians, turtles, and birds, as well as their potential to bite humans.
Criminal Behavior
In March 2021, China began classifying the release of invasive species into the wild as a criminal act. Many lakes and rivers, especially those near temples, now display public warnings that liberation is prohibited.
In recent years, Chinese media have also published numerous stories, labeling alligator snapping turtles as “ecological assassins” and reminding people not to keep them as pets or release them into the wild. Those who catch an alligator snapping turtle in the wild are advised to kill it rather than release it back into the water.
Mr. Dudgeon agrees that preventing the release of alligator snapping turtles should be a priority for Chinese law enforcement. He states: “Preventing people from releasing alligator snapping turtles is far more practical than removing the animals that have already invaded nature.”
Alligator snapping turtles for sale on China’s Taobao e-commerce platform. The captions on the images read: “Seller standing by, shipping included” (left) and “Very scary to raise, very delicious to eat.”
However, preventing alligator snapping turtles from escaping into the natural environment is challenging due to the sheer scale of their trade. Over 400,000 alligator snapping turtles are sold as pets each year on the Taobao e-commerce platform. These animals are also available on other Chinese platforms, such as JD.com. Plastic bins filled with juvenile turtles are a common sight in pet markets across China.
China is not the only country where alligator snapping turtles pose a problem. Thousands have been caught in the wild in Japan. Alligator snapping turtles may also have invaded Europe: Several encounters have been reported in recent years of river swimmers in France, Germany, and Italy meeting these turtles.
