Snapping Turtle Encounter

One blustery day I had to leave Lil at home and went to Steep Rock alone. I hiked to the overlook and back down, crossing the Hauser suspension bridge on my way back. On the right hand side of the trail, away from the river, there lay a large black snapping turtle, Chelydridae Serpentina. "Serpentina" describes the snakelike range of motion in the turtle's neck.

Snapping turtles are quite placid while in the water but get defensive on land since they can't retreat completely into their shells like other turtles. In the water, the long neck allows them to stay submerged with only their nostrils showing, and on land that neck provides a good defense, since the turtle can reach backward over its shell (carapace). These turtles have beaks sharp enough to amputate a finger so it's a good idea...as always with wildlife....to let them be.

They are omniverous, eating plants, nonvertibrates, fish, small birds and mammals. They are also important scavengers in slow moving rivers and ponds.

This turtle's shell was about 16" from front to back. Adding on the head and long, muscular tail made this one impresive individual....not the biggest snapping turtle I'd ever seen, but getting up there.
Chelydridae Serpentina can live for 30 years in the wild and considerably longer in captivity.

I always thought snapping turtles went over land in May and June, mainly to lay eggs, and here was this fine specemin lolling in autumn leaves. It was perfectly healthy, and upon doing a tiny bit of research I learned that snappers can breed from April through November! Who knew? It also turns out that lady snappers can store sperm for several seasons and use them as needed. A good man can be hard to find...

Lil missed out on a very cool customer and a potentially valuable lesson in good manners.