Found a turtle!

**Lori Jordan** · 05-18-2006, 06:11 PM

That is surely a snapper look at the snout on it....

**Alysser** · 05-18-2006, 08:45 PM

Yep, thats a snapper alright! He's adorable.

Lucky you got him out of the yard.

**k9krazee** · 05-18-2006, 09:12 PM

Thanks guys...I still would like to know how he got into the yard!! It boggles my mind...unless he climbed the fence, I have no idea.

**RobiLee** · 05-18-2006, 09:17 PM

He sure is big! Its been awhile since I've seen one that size. Thanks for sharing him with us.

**zoomer** · 05-18-2006, 09:52 PM

He's beautiful! Did you keep him or let him go or what? He looks like a snapper. Pretty little guy

**king2005** · 05-19-2006, 08:47 AM

Thats not just a snapping turtle (there are several different species). Its a Common Snapping Turtle!

It might be a female as its tail isn't very thick, unless its under weight. At about that size its prob about 5-7yrs old (its hard to tell as diet plays a huge roll). Axle is MUCH larger then that guy, as hes about 30 pounds & fed good foods lol.. Axle will be 7 this year

**king2005** · 05-19-2006, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by k9krazee

Thanks guys...I still would like to know how he got into the yard!! It boggles my mind...unless he climbed the fence, I have no idea.

Common Snapping Turtles are AWESOME climbers!! My guy at only 20p was able to climb out of his pond, tour my room, climb up onto my bed & dive into his 160g pond! He would also climb the baby gate I had to keep the horrid dogs out of the basement (thank goodness I don't live there anymore).. Now Axle roams free in the bedroom.. he pushes open the door by force & trashes my bathroom on a daily bases. I've found him in my closet in the laundryroom & hes destroyed 20 $$ books on my book shelves & climbed over a barrier I made & destroyed my rare Antique horse in mint condition.. now its a scratched horse with its tail *cries*.. One of these day he'll end up in the oven!!!! j/k but I am mad

**IRescue452** · 05-19-2006, 09:32 AM

You've still got your fingers!? They are great climbers. I rescued a heavy sucker probably over 35 pounds from the mud last year. Took forever to convince him that I was a good person not to be bitten. I ended up shoveling him head first into a bucket to carry to the water. Looks like a "she" to me too. Boys have huge tails. I thinks its a bit late to be looking for a nesting spot? The painted turtles in WI already hatched and I'd assume the snappers don't lay their eggs this late.

**king2005** · 05-19-2006, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by IRescue452

You've still got your fingers!? They are great climbers. I rescued a heavy sucker probably over 35 pounds from the mud last year. Took forever to convince him that I was a good person not to be bitten. I ended up shoveling him head first into a bucket to carry to the water. Looks like a "she" to me too. Boys have huge tails. I thinks its a bit late to be looking for a nesting spot? The painted turtles in WI already hatched and I'd assume the snappers don't lay their eggs this late.

Common Snapping Turtles will hatch in late July, as I got Axle as a hatchling from the wild the last week of July. He was a very sick baby so I kept him (& other reasons)... I hold Axle, he sits on my lap, he hangs out with dogs 7 just LOVES dog kisses!! Strangers always touch his legs & tail & I get my nose kisses

look in my sig.. sure its a few yrs old, hes MUCH larger & I now have long hair, but I still get my kisses