NEW ORLEANS -- It's a marvelously ugly beast, with spiked and ridged armor, a sharply hooked beak, a fishing lure in its mouth and a nasty bite. But the alligator snapping turtle's hard shell holds ...

While the alligator snapping turtle might look like a giant beetle made from volcanic rock, these unique creatures are native to Kansas' rivers—and they're about to make a triumphant homecoming.