Travis Thomas grew up on the Santa Fe River, but never imagined he’d lean over its glassy waters and hoist up a 65-pound prehistoric beast. The creature at hand was an alligator snapping turtle: ...

Alligator snapping turtles, like the one seen in this file photo, were classified as endangered in Kansas in 1974. The state has begun a reintroduction program to bring the creatures back to Kansas ...

Snapping turtles are large freshwater turtles that are unable to withdraw their head and legs fully into their shells, and so have extremely powerful jaws that they use to defend themselves with by ...