Our Story

I started Loggerhead Acres in 1995 but my interest in turtles goes back to the early '60's when I was a kid growing up in South Kansas City.

Let's Begin

Alligator Snapping Turtle image Some of my first memories were finding common snappers walking up the creek that ran through my back yard. I was just drawn to them and while many urged me to find something else to do I knew what I liked and I was fascinated with these creatures. In 1967 I bought a small alligator snapper for a whopping $5 from a mail order reptile business. I remember that day 51 years ago as if it was yesterday. It was that day that I knew I wanted to breed these turtles and believe it or not came up with the name "Loggerhead Acres" way back in '67. So this was destiny. lol!

Alligator Snapping Turtle image My turtle collection expanded over the subsequent years and my interest in alligator snappers did as well. It was many years later in the late 80's that I discovered these majestic animals were being slaughtered for the turtle meat trade in Arkansas and Louisiana. Arkansas protected them in the Fall of '93 but Louisiana left the commercial harvest open until the Fall of 2004. For almost 10 years I bought adult alligator snappers that were to be butchered for the meat trade and brought them back to my farm in the Ozarks of southern Missouri. Many of the larger males went to zoos and educational exhibits but I ended up with a large group of adults that have acclimated and flourished since. Each year we dig about 5500 eggs and these are the hatchlings we offer for sale. I want this site to be an educational tool for those interested in this species and for those who would like to raise one or two themselves. I ask that you read the care sheet on this site thoroughly before ordering and get your habitat set up properly.

Alligator Snapping Turtle image Our Facebook page has been a big success as my son has become an excellent photographer and videographer. If you have any questions the FB page can be used to message me directly and I will answer your questions. Customer service and timely shipping of orders is our priority. Please review the terms of service page to check to see if you have any state laws regarding this species. And know if your turtle gets too big we can arrange shipment back to Loggerhead Acres for trade of smaller ones. It has always been my goal to provide licensed captive bred alligator snappers to those who share my interest in this wonderful species. America's Reptile Treasure, the alligtor snapping turtle!

If you're interested in reading more about Loggerhead Acres Turtle Farm checkout how we got started!

How it Began