Common Snapping Turtle

Description:

I spotted this snapper attempting to cross a busy road on my drive home from TN. I had seen dozens of turtle carcasses on the side of the road on my trip (along 411), so I stopped, put on my hazard lights to block the transfer truck headed toward it, and moved the turtle to the side of the road it seemed to be heading toward. I'm used to box turtles that clam up tight and hide until you've walked a safe distance away from them. Let me tell you, I was not prepared when this thing jumped like it was spring-loaded the minute I had my hands on the sides of its shell. It was all I could do to keep from dropping it and get it over to the grass on the side of the road. I thought it would tear off when I put it down, but the second it was safely down on the ground, it spun around to face me. (Of course I took a couple of pictures while I had the chance!) Afraid it would try to head back across the road now that it was once again turned and facing traffic, I ended up picking it up by the tail (the tail alone was 8-10" long) and carrying it over to the marshy area I assumed it was headed toward when I found it. Perfect muddy hole for a snapping turtle! If it had been a bigger turtle (it's hell was easily 12" fron front to back), I could not have moved it safely (for me) as it's neck would have been long enough to bite me!

Habitat:

Common snapping turtles are found throughout eastern North America including all of South Carolina and Georgia. They inhabit almost any body of freshwater throughout their range. Some have even been found in brackish water.

Notes:

Spotted crossing th eroad in Eton, GA