The Travels of Tug 44 |
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Common Snapping Turtle |
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The Common Snapping Turtle is mostly seen in our Fort Edward area during May and June, as the females cross roads to find suitable locations for laying eggs. If you see one, don't pick them up, they bite ... really hard ... and they don't let go. The neck can extend out of the shell a surprisingly long distance and they strike like a snake. They are normally found in swamps or ponds or other fresh water and they will eat almost anything ... anything that moves that is small enough to swallow, including fish, ducklings, small water birds, etc. and also plant matter. high-res
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The Common Snapping Turtle can have a lifespan as long as 100 years, but this one almost didn't make it. Her shell has been hit by a boat propeller but she got lucky, the prop hit the area above her front leg and she herself did not get cut. She'll be just fine. high-res
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The Common Snapping Turtle can be identified by the large scales on their legs, though the shell is mostly smooth, unlike their cousin the Alligator Snapping Turtle. high-res
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May 2018 - I was photographing a group of Sandpipers at the edge of a swamp when this giant arrived. He was nearly the size of a manhole cover and he wanted some bird for lunch. He hung around motionless for awhile but the birds kept their distance and remained safe. From his size, we could call this one of the century old ones. high-res |
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