Huge Snapping Turtle Encounter

Ran across this huge Wisconsin Snapping Turtle as I was out biking with my dog. Although it wasn't angry or aggressive, it certainly did look menacing with its long claws and attack posture. These common snapping turtle's are known for having a powerful bite, which is why they are sometimes referred to as an alligator turtle. Often times once they bite something, they won't let go and may need to have tools used to pry the turtle's mouth back open.

As one of the largest freshwater turtles in North America, the snapping turtle is a fascinating creature that can be found in the waterways of Wisconsin. These ancient reptiles have been around for millions of years and have adapted to life in the water in a truly unique way.

The snapping turtle is easily recognizable by its large head, powerful jaws, and hooked beak. Its shell can range in color from light brown to almost black, and can reach up to 20 inches in length. The tail of the snapping turtle is long and thick, making up about a third of its total body length. In general, males are larger than females, but both sexes can weigh up to 50 pounds.

Snapping turtles are primarily aquatic creatures, although they can often be found sunning themselves on logs or rocks near the water's edge. They are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat almost anything they can catch, including fish, insects, frogs, and even small mammals. They are also known to scavenge on carrion.

These turtles can be found throughout Wisconsin, living in ponds, lakes, rivers, and other freshwater habitats. They prefer water that is slow-moving and has a muddy bottom, as this provides them with the cover they need to ambush their prey. Snapping turtles are also known to be quite territorial and will defend their chosen area from other turtles.

The breeding season for snapping turtles in Wisconsin typically begins in late April and lasts through June. During this time, male turtles will begin to search for females and will often engage in elaborate courtship displays to win their affections. Once a female has chosen a mate, she will lay her eggs in a hole dug in the ground, covering them with dirt to protect them from predators. After about three months, the hatchlings will emerge from their shells and begin their journey into the world.

Snapping turtles are not currently listed as a threatened or endangered species in Wisconsin, but their populations have been impacted by habitat loss and human activity. In addition to loss of habitat, snapping turtles can also be threatened by pollution, poaching, and accidental capture in fishing gear. It is important that we do what we can to protect these ancient creatures and preserve their natural habitats for future generations to enjoy.

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[TommyMcTurtleson]

That turtle looks like he has spent a lot of time in the gym lol. His muscles are crazy!

[crystals]

I came across one very similar snappin' turtle this morning on a rural road near my home in Virginia; I first saw it when I was about 100 feet away and it appeared to be a deceased animal. There are many opossum and raccoons in our area that often get hit by cars on this road. As I got closer I realized that it was (or had been) a live turtle that was almost to the edge of the road but had stopped. There was a car coming from the opposite direction that had stopped when it saw the turtle ahead of it. I pulled my truck to the middle of the road, got out and was attempting to pick up the turtle as I'd done previously with several other large turtles I'd assisted in the past. In those other cases those turtles fully co-operated and withdrew into their shell once I'd lifted them up. This guy today was different and definitely not going to participate with me. It immediately tried snapping its' jaws onto my jeans leg and I had to repeatedly move my legs away from its' jaws. Two cars approached me, both stopped and I waved them past me so they could continue on their way. Each time I tried to move the turtle to safety it turned back toward me and started moving away from the edge of this road -- and back toward the middle of the road. I finally decided that it wouldn't ever be safe for me to pick up this large turtle so instead I placed my foot at the back edge of its' shell and slid it off the side of the road onto a grassy area which was safely off the road. Mission accomplished and I learned a lesson -- that not all large turtles are of the snapping variety.

[robertdelucca]

It’s a female. She never leaves the safety of the water except to lay her eggs usually in June/July. Be kind to them. 💚