The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is one of the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world, having been recently proven outweighed by the Hoan Kiem Turtle, a giant softshell turtle. It is often associated with, but not closely related to, the common snapping turtle, which is in the genus Chelydra. The specific epithet temminckii is in honor of Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck.