Aquatic Reptile Species Overview

In our part of the world, the main aquatic reptiles are sea turtles and alligators. Growing quite large at times, the sea turtle has adapted well to a life in the open ocean as well as coastal marshes. They spend all of their time in the water, except when they crawl out onto certain beaches, at just the right time to lay a clutch of eggs buried in the sand. Then according to the natural rhythms of time, the baby turtles hatch at once and make their mad and danger-filled dash to the sea. But the danger is not over yet. They are small and edible and must hide amongst seaweed and flotsam for protection. Eventually they outgrow most predators, but some like the tiger shark are still able to take adult turtles at times.

All of the sea turtles are protected in the U.S. and in a growing list of countries. Their numbers are slowly rebounding as they continue their journey through the sea.

Freshwater has its share of turtle species that are recreationally caught and eaten.The most common species of freshwater turtles include alligator and common snapping, soft shell and red ear turtles.

Alligators are very common in many freshwater systems of the southeastern U.S. Louisiana is no exception and has many of these well adapted reptiles. They can grow up to 14 feet and weigh about 800-pounds. They were hunted to low levels many years ago, but with protection from harvest their numbers have rebounded to new records. In fact they have come back to the point that they are now managed with hunting seasons for permitted hunters. Their meat is eaten and the skin is tanned to make very durable and stylish leather. They are also farm raised for the same two reasons and Louisiana has had a very successful alligator program for years.