>>everyone that i have talked with including the federal fish and wildlife department have told me that i have to have a permit to own and or keep an alligator snapping turtle seeing as how it is a protected species and on the endagered species list.

For your state perhaps. But not everyone in the country needs a permit for them. The type of permit you are likely talking about only affects people who live in states where the snappers are native to. People living elsewhere can just buy one from a breeder with no hassle (other than it has to be over 4 inches as any/all turtles regardless of species must be that size to legally sell)
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PHWyvern