Pulling into my driveway this morning, I looked up ahead and thought I had another short limb down from a tree. Then it moved on me. Closer inspection revealed an unusually large snapping turtle. I estimate it weighed 10-12 pounds. When I picked it up, it disproved the axiom "as slow as a turtle." In a lightning move, it flexed its neck and grazed one of my fingers.
Read what Wikipedia says: "The common snapping turtle is not an ideal pet. Its neck is very flexible, and the turtle can bite its handler even if picked up by the sides of its shell. The turtle can amputate a finger with its powerful jaws." Remind me to consult Wikipedia before picking up live animals.
When I scratched one side of its back with a stick, it would tilt to that side, and then do the same thing on the other side. Betty got a video of the "turtle dance," but I'm too much of a turtle brain to figure out how to upload it on this site.
When we finally got out of its way, the turtle moseyed on down the drive and then slid into Deerfield Creek.
Please do NOT save this one for your granddaughter! That's a monster turtle!
ReplyDeleteOuch! That's about the 11th finger you've almost amputated.
ReplyDelete