Snapping Turtle question

[piker56]

Today, when I turned into our driveway, my wife and I were greeted by a snapping turtle. We have wetlands relatively close to our house, but not close enough where I expected to have a snapper in our yard. I walked him back to the swamp and let him go. Sorry, no pictures as the little guy (or gal) peed all over both of my hands and I didn't want turtle pee on my camera How far do snappers range from water? The shell was about 4 inches long, so it was pretty young, but not a baby. It was kind of neat to take him to some water and watch him take off!
Greg

 

[Teegate]

Someone here should be able to tell you how to tell the difference between male and female. That is always nice to know.

Guy

 

[46er]

All you ever wanted to know about Snapping Turtles, and then some, at the link. Found this guy crawling around the dunes of IBSP several years ago, a sure to be gull snack, so we moved it.

http://chelydra.org/snapping_turtle_question_answer008.html

 

[piker56]

All you ever wanted to know about Snapping Turtles, and then some, at the link. Found this guy crawling around the dunes of IBSP several years ago, a sure to be gull snack, so we moved it.

http://chelydra.org/snapping_turtle_question_answer008.html

Thanks for the replies. 46er, good picture. One of my favorite pictures of my wife (then girlfreind) is her holding a baby on the palm of her hand, about the same size of the one you have. I'm looking for it in my albums (it's a 1970's picture) to scan and post.
Thanks again for the links,
Greg

 

[46er]

This was one of several we found in the area, must have been recent hatchlings. Given the location, I was very surprised to come across them.

 

[dogg57]

Like the info on the Turtles.Neat find

 

[Pandot]

All you ever wanted to know about Snapping Turtles, and then some, at the link. Found this guy crawling around the dunes of IBSP several years ago, a sure to be gull snack, so we moved it.

http://chelydra.org/snapping_turtle_question_answer008.html

[/quote

Wow. I don't think I've ever seen one that small.
One of my favorite snapper experiences was seeing one in the middle of 16th or 18th Avenue in Belmar. He (she?) was huge but I was afraid of it getting hit by a car. I actually managed to pick this monster up without losing a finger and put it in an adjacent yard. Looking back, I must have been crazy, but perhaps it was the adrenaline kicking in.

 

[Teegate]

Just put a stick to their mouth and when they surely bite on it you can easily drag them to the side. Works every time.

Guy