What animals eat turtles?

Alligators, crocodiles and big cats all eat turtles. In addition to alligators, freshwater and tropical turtles must be on the lookout for jaguars, large lizards and caimans, which crunch right through a turtle's shell.

Even raccoons have been known to gnaw at a turtle shell until they reach the soft, fleshy bit of the turtle. In the ocean, turtles have predators that include all types of sharks and large fish, which have a tendency to bite off the legs of the turtle. Humans are also turtle predators. Hunters prey on turtles and sell their shells for souvenirs. Turtle meat is also a delicacy in certain areas of the world.