Finished drawing of an alligator snapping turtle

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How to Draw an Alligator Snapping Turtle

13 steps · Medium · about 10 min

Draw an alligator snapping turtle in 13 easy steps, about 10 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.

Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: big head.

Step 1: Big head
On the left draw a big rounded head. Give the front a pointy beak that hooks down.
Tip Leave the right side empty for the shell.
Step 2: Eye and smile
Draw a big round eye and a nostril dot. Start under the beak and draw a smile back.
Step 3: The shell
A little behind the head, draw a big rounded hump for the shell. Close it with a flat bottom.
Step 4: Rim and neck
Draw a band under the shell from corner to corner. Join the head to the shell with a thick neck.
Step 5: Front leg
Start on the rim at the front. Draw a stumpy leg down to 3 toes, then back to the rim.
Step 6: Back leg
Under the back of the shell draw the same stumpy leg, leaning back. Start and end on the rim.
Step 7: Far legs
From the rim behind the front leg, draw a bowed line down to the ground. Same by the back leg.
Step 8: Long thick tail
Start under the rim behind the back leg. Draw a long thick tail down to a point, then back.
Tip The tail is nearly as long as the shell.
Step 9: Spiky shell
Along the top of the shell draw 5 pointy spikes. Then zigzag across the shell from edge to edge.
Tip The spikes make it look like an alligator's back.
Step 10: The ground
Draw one long ground line under all the feet, from in front of the head to behind the tail.
Step 11: Grey skin
Colour a pink cheek, then the head, neck, near legs and tail grey around it. Leave the eye white.
Tip Go over your lines first.
Step 12: Light brown rim
Colour the rim under the shell light brown. Colour the 2 far legs dark grey.
Step 13: Brown shell
Colour the shell and its 5 spikes brown. Your alligator snapping turtle is done!