Distribution and Relative Abundance of Macrochelys (Alligator Snapping Turtles) in the Florida Panhandle

Kevin M. Enge^1,*, Jonathan D. Mays¹, Travis M. Thomas^1,2, E. Pierson Hill³, E. Tucker Stonecypher^3,4, and Matthew T. Fedler¹

¹Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1105 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32601. ²University of Florida, Nature Coast Biological Station, PO Box 878, Cedar Key, FL 32625. ³Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 5300 High Bridge Road, Quincy, FL 32351. ⁴107 Griggs Street, Aiken, SC 29803. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist,Volume 22, Special Issue 12 (2023): 84–99

Abstract
We trapped 4 large alluvial rivers (Ochlockonee, Apalachicola, Choctawhatchee, and Escambia), 10 of their tributaries, and 22 other streams during 2014–2018 to determine the distribution of Macrochelys (alligator snapping turtles) in the Florida panhandle. We trapped three 5-km sections of the 4 large rivers and 130‒1347-m sections of 32 smaller streams. We captured 179 turtles in 855 trap nights (TN) for an overall catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 0.21, recording the first observations from Cypress, Bear, Dry, and Wetappo creeks. We failed to capture Macrochelys in 13 streams but suspect populations occur in most streams of all types between the Sopchoppy and Perdido rivers with adequate water depths and cover in the form of deep holes, undercut banks, or fallen trees. We had low trapping success (CPUE = 0.012) in 243 TN in the Choctawhatchee drainage despite apparently suitable habitat. The male:female ratio was 1.44:1, which was significantly different from 1:1. The 4 large rivers had proportionally larger females than smaller streams.

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