Big Snappin' Cooter

CharlieJ · #1 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 01:46 AM

Our family likes to provide what we call "turtle rescue" -- by helping our slow moving friends across Southern roads (we live in rural North Carolina). The kids really get a kick out of helping. We always make it as safe as possible -- moving about on the open roads.

Anyway, while coming home from work this afternoon, I saw this big fella crossing the road. He was nice and calm until I tried to pick him up for transport across the road. He snapped and scared the pee-dunkers out of me.

I eventually found a way to get him across the road -- just in time. Several cars passed by. One was sure to have hit him if he was still in the lane. The snappin' cooter (as a friend calls them) didn't seem too appreciative of the assistance -- by trying to bite me several times. In any event, he wasn't road kill -- and I got to take a few pics.

The dollar in the last pic was a tip he gave me for helping him across the street.

[In reality, the dollar is a size reference.]
ENJOY!

.

Adrya · #2 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 01:51 AM

Nice Common Snapping Turtle you've got there.

SnakeCollector · #3 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 01:58 AM

hope mine is that big some day and i bet that turtle is more happy than what he could have been which is dead

CharlieJ · #4 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 01:59 AM

THANKS Adrya! I hope he made his way to where ever he was going.

Hey, I just noticed you're in Morgantown. My wife's family is from the Huntington area (southwest of you). We visit there at least once each year. I like the area, except for the rainy muck around Christmas time. [Sorry to get off topic]

amercnwmn · #5 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:18 AM

Yepp thats what my hubby saw crossing the road a couple of times...
He actually brought one home...LMAO..Still havent quite figured out HOW he got it in the tote..lmao

Then he said he saw another one crossing the road today..I asked him why he didnt bring it home too, and he said it was dead..it had been hit. The shell was intact, and I said, "are you SURE it was dead??"
So my hubby being the really FUNNY guy he is says "Yeah, I made sure, I backed over it a few times!!!" LMAO..He would NEVER do that..just tormenting his POOR wife!

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #6 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:30 AM

Those are so cool. My favorite besides the aligator snapper.

CharlieJ · #7 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:33 AM

The one pictured is actually smaller than one we saw last Summer. We "rescue" a couple dozen smaller turtles each year. This is one of the five largest we've seen.

WeissChoice · #8 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:33 AM

That guy is too cool~!!

ChristopherD · #9 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:37 AM

I always just grabbed them by the tail and picked them up... or you can pick them up by the sides if you don't mind a claw. I see those on the golf course here all the time, except they are like 4 times that size.

amercnwmn · #10 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:39 AM

YEAAAH next time I see one, you can come and get it then...lol..
It CHOMPED at me!

garyl43 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:41 AM

I was watching a program the other night, and they were testing the bite force of different animals. The snapping turtle came in second only to the crocodile with a 1000psi bite force. The croc busted out a 2500psi bite! Whatch your fingers!

amercnwmn · #12 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:48 AM

WOW now that is a good post!!
Thanks Gary..No more snapper relocations lmao.. j/k

ChristopherD · #13 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:51 AM

That is nothin' I got bit by a pit bull today and I am fully confident that it has 7000 psi... lol

Oh, and I never said I picked up the big ones... I usually get me and my friend with two golf clubs and roll them under him and plop him in the creek.

amercnwmn · #14 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:54 AM

Thats a good way to do it..

garyl43 · #15 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:56 AM

The pit bull was around 250 psi. It just feels like 7000 when it bites you!

ChristopherD · #16 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 02:58 AM

I don't believe it... haha jk! I know, but it hurt like crap still!

SnakeCollector · #17 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 03:03 AM

garyl43 i saw that too but that was a while ago

garyl43 · #18 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballpythoncaptivebred

garyl43 i saw that too but that was a while ago

Yeah, it was a few weeks ago, I was just try'n to avoid thinking too hard

. But the numbers are accurate! LOL!

Adrya · #19 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 04:48 AM

Not only are the snapping turtles coming out from their winter mudholes, but females are also looking for nesting sites, so do be careful when handling them, they are most likely carrying eggs.

Red-Tailed_mustang · #20 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 10:36 AM

:

Quote:

Originally Posted by fb4076

I always just grabbed them by the tail and picked them up... or you can pick them up by the sides if you don't mind a claw. I see those on the golf course here all the time, except they are like 4 times that size.

You really dont like your fingers do you???

I've seen them almost reach their tail when snapping.
I'll have to find and scan some pics but my grandpa caught and relocated a huge aligator snapper in the 1993 flood, we lived in the north end of St. Charles. He wouldn't fit in a 50 gallon bucket.
They also taste pretty good.

Well the common ones at least, aligator snappers are a big no no.

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