Baby Snapping Turtle

Returning with the baseboards for the basement room this morning, a baby snapping turtle was crossing the road. I insisted Gary stop so I could be sure he got across the road safely. Now is the time turtles will be crossing the road so please watch out for them. If you pick up a turtle crossing the road put them on the side in the direction they were going because they know which way they need to go. If you put them on the wrong side they'll just turn around and cross again. (I didn't have my camera with me so this baby turtle photo was borrowed from the net).

Perhaps you recall the mother snapping turtle from Florida I helped. Never pick up a snapping turtle because their mouths are strong enough to crack open shellfish and they can snap your finger off with ease. The snapping turtle is easily recognizable from their very long tail. Today we're painting the baseboards and wiping the grout haze off the tile, photos coming soon. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Snapping Turtle Rescued

Yesterday as we were coming back from the fish market I spied a large turtle crossing the road. There was quite a bit of traffic so Gary pulled over so I could block cars from hitting the turtle. This turtle is over 12 inches long just in the shell. I intended to pick up the turtle and carry it across the road, but as I neared the turtle I saw it was a snapping turtle.

Snapping turtles can reach their hind legs with their long necks and bite. If you pick them up or drag them by their tail their spine can be injured. If you get them to bite a stick and drag them their undersides and legs will be rubbed raw and infection can set in.

Of course when the turtle saw me approaching she stopped moving. I assumed it was a female who had ventured out of the water to lay her eggs. What was I going to do? I decided to stand in the middle of the road and direct traffic around her.

Just about then the sheriff came by from the other direction and I flagged him down. He asked me if the turtle had been injured yet. I said no. He quickly got out of his truck with some large thick gloves. He used a special technique to get the turtle to retract his head by tapping his head with the glove and waiting to see if the turtle would try to bite.

When he saw the turtle seemed docile enough he put on the gloves and picked up the turtle and carried it across the road. Here you can see how large the turtle was in comparison to the sheriff's gloved hands. I suspect the turtle was quite heavy too. I'm so glad the sheriff came along. Thanks for reading and for all your comments..