Sunday, August 23, 2009

Sunday Snapper

We have many non-human visitors to our backyard and last year, one visitor was a snapping turtle. He was making his way to the duckpond next door from one of the reservoirs nearby.


The carapace was 15" in from top to bottom (yes, we did measure it). I can't even guess what it might have weighed. The snapper stopped obligingly while I was taking pictures and although it gave an pretty good "go away" glare, it did not snap even when Pawpa started measuring. When we went back into the house, the turtle continued on it way down to the pond.

7 comments:

Kathy said...

He was an interesting visitor to come walking through! I like turtles. I found one in our Japanese garden once. He was so little I thought it was a rock, then all the appendages came out! My son named him Vincent Van Gogh (like the Ninja Turtles), he's still going 16 years later!
BTW, in Native American cultures, they are a sign of good luck! :)

My Mind's Eye said...

Gizzy I'm glad you stayed out of the way of this bad boy.... he is giving quite an evil look in the first picture.
Madi and Mom

Ms. ~K said...

That's a huge turtle!
I agree w/Madi and Mom, Giz you were smart to leave this guy alone!
~K

RILEY AND STAR MY MALTESEKIDS said...

Hi Gizzy,

How cool! Don't you just love turtles? We do.

Our mommy to to have a little turtle named Pokey. Now isn't that original?

Hope you're having a pawsome Sunday!

Luv,
Riley and Star.

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

What an awesome new friend to meet!!

Smileys!
Dory

Life With Dogs said...

That is a substantial snapper. I think you were right to head in the opposite direction!

countryliving said...

Turtles are all over the roads here........to bad somebody didn't tell them its not a good place to be.......