Big ol’ snapping turtle on Duluth’s Western Waterfront Trail

Here’s an opportunity for someone who knows a lot about turtles to show off and tell us all what specific kind of snapping turtle we are looking at here. It was spotted around 2:30 p.m. today lolling around by that nice little swampy nook just west of Indian Point Campground.

7 Comments

Renee Wynne

about 10 years ago

There are only two kinds, Common and Alligator. This is a Common Snapping Turtle.

TimK

about 10 years ago

Trampled by Common Snapping Turtles rolls off the tongue with the same ease as the shortened version. It also abbreviates to TBCST, thus eliminating the frequent Facebook confusion on Throwback Thursdays.....

Herzog

about 10 years ago

Here's some good things to know when handling a beast of this calibre.  I'm not really sure how you would manage this one's plastron?

The common snapping turtle is not an ideal pet. Its neck is very flexible, and a wild turtle can bite its handler even if picked up by the sides of its shell. A wild common snapping turtle will make a hissing sound when it is threatened or encountered; however, when in the water and unprovoked, they are fairly docile toward humans.

It is a common misconception that common snapping turtles may be safely picked up by the tail with no harm to the animal; in fact, this has a high chance of injuring the turtle, especially the tail itself and the vertebral column.[13] Lifting the turtle with the hands is difficult and dangerous. Snappers can stretch their necks back across their own carapace and to their hind feet on either side to bite. Also, their claws are sharp and capable of inflicting significant lacerations. When they feel stressed, they will release a musky odor from behind their legs.

It may be tempting to rescue a snapping turtle found in a road by getting it to bite a stick and then dragging it out of immediate danger. This action can, however, severely scrape the legs and underside of the turtle and allow for deadly infections in the wounds.[citation needed] The safest way to pick up a common snapping turtle is holding it by its plastron.

Jim Richardson

about 10 years ago

Don't go near snappers. Got it.

B.I.N.G.O.

about 10 years ago

An additional defense strategy for the turtle is, when someone is stupid enough to try to it pick up (to get it off a road), is that it will pee on you. Really stinky stuff too. Been there, done that. "No good deed goes unpunished."

Sam

about 10 years ago

Duluth's Western Waterfront Trail is one of the best experiences in Duluth!

todobrillante

about 10 years ago

Herzog seems to know a thing or two...but I'm still going to go for the classic source and turn to this kid for all turtle-related issues.

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