Snapping turtle

I saw this guy the other day going to work and took a few pics with my cell phone. At a distance I thought it was a small animal because of the tail. He was moving pretty good, much faster than the box turtles that are around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlIAp34xyhM&feature=youtu.be

 

If this is the one off of Vestals Gap near Demott, I've seen him twice trying to cross the road. I'm afraid one day he won't make it. :-(

 

I saw him Vestals but about 2000' feet West of Demott. I hope he hangs in there. I've helped a couple of box turtles across Broadlands Blvd also, we need some "will brake for turtle" bumper stickers

 

Yep, that's the same one. I tried to help him across one time, but he didn't appreciate it. And, yes, we need bumper stickers! I always stop for the box turtles. Unfortunately, so many people are going so fast that they don't recognize it's a turtle until it's too late. :-(

 

Great footage...

How to tell the age of a snapping turtle:

Measure the length, from neck to tail, of the carapace (upper shell). Hatchlings measure about 3/4 to 1 inch. At about age 10, snapping turtles measure approximately 7 inches and grow to 11 inches at age 25 according to the Tortoise Trust.

Watch for eggs being laid by a female. The earliest that snapping turtles become sexually mature is at about 7 to 8 years of age. A female laying eggs is at least 7 years old.

Examine each scute (plate) on the carapace for circular lines. In younger snapping turtles, these lines can be counted like growth rings in a tree, one for each year of life. In older turtles, growth slows and the carapace becomes smoother, making growth rings more difficult to use to determine age.


Read more: How to Tell the Age of a Snapping Turtle | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6544139_tell...#ixzz1Ob0YK6Ay

It is said that if you help a turtle cross a road, always take him in the direction he was heading otherwise he will turn around and attempt the same crossing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlIAp34xyhM&feature=youtu.be[/QUOTE]

 

How do you know he was going to work? :rolleyes3:

 

Nice...! Wonder if that's the same guy that was parked at Trailside Park and got tired of the ruckus? One had buried itself in front of one of the park benches lining the trail a few weeks ago and caused quite a bit of commotion... and rightly so. I've seen references that these guys can lock down at something like 1500 PSI. Ouch!