06/20/2026
Thank you to Kevin Enge for an outstanding presentation at the Friends of Paynes Prairie Third Thursday Speaker Series this past week. We were thrilled to have a full house eager to learn about one of Florida’s most fascinating reptiles—the alligator snapping turtle.
Kevin, a wildlife biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and an integral part of Florida’s turtle monitoring program, shared his expertise on the biology, distribution, and conservation of these remarkable animals. Attendees learned that alligator snapping turtles occur naturally in rivers that drain into the Gulf of Mexico, and that in Florida, the Suwannee River represents the southernmost extent of their naturally occurring range.
One of the evening’s highlights was hearing about Kevin’s fieldwork. In 2023, while surveying the lower Santa Fe River, he discovered nine alligator snapping turtles in a single trap—a record catch. Through careful monitoring efforts, Kevin and his team tag turtles, record their measurements and weight, assess their overall health, and collect valuable data that helps guide conservation efforts.
Thank you, Kevin, for sharing your knowledge and passion with our community and for the important work you do to better understand and protect Florida’s wildlife. It was a fascinating evening, and we appreciate everyone who joined us.
