A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Macrochelys temminckii
Slippery Pete was 115 lbs. He gave Chuck and I a scrap.
Spotted on Apr 11, 2009
Submitted on Apr 11, 2011
97 Comments (1–25)
That is really cool. I have handled many snappers but never one like that
Amazing! But wouldn't that hurt a turtle?
wow! such an amazing creature! great pic ;)
Your not killing it right?
That is a big ol' turtle!
AMAZING!! Beautiful!!
Awesome
Cool
If the Rangers want to take it down that is fine with me. I guess I still technically am a Ranger, although work and the birth of my son have limited my time here recently.
This photo was posted long before that rule was in effect. Frankly I appreciate the spirit of the rule but I do not support its (occasionally) ham-handed enforcement. I have used this photo as an opportunity to educate more than anything else, but I will abide by any decision the site creators and/or Rangers make.
I will say that there is some amazing wildlife out there that we would never see if someone was not holding it.
I agree with Shebebusynow.
At the previous commenter, there is the odd exception which proves the rule, and this is one of them. This is one of the most popular series of photos on Project Noah (124 favorited it!) and has produced quite an interesting and enduring conversation about the species. Please do NOT cut it. While I (and everyone else) tries hard to keep people out of the pictures, occasionally a monster like this HAS to be held to get the shot, and the perspective makes it that much more impressive. It's also been very interesting to better understand how a biologist goes about studying such a reclusive creature.
Very impressive, MitchRay!! Up here we have large female Snapping Turtles that leave the water to lay their eggs. One female in particular looked to be the size of a tractor tire. I can't image any one person being able to pick up let alone safely hold on to one of them. Do the female's in this species leave the swamp to lay their eggs on land as well? And if so, do they incubate their eggs similar to Alligators in a decomposing compost pile or in sand or sandy soil like our Snapping Turtles up here? How many eggs do they lay and how long to they take to hatch? Sorry. I guess I should just check your links and I'll probably find everything I need there. Bravo you for doing what you can to help bring positive attention and much needed information to the masses!! :-)
Wow cool and also that alligator snapping turtle is GAINT
Epic photo. I have always wanted to see one of these in person. I wonder how old it must be to have grown so large???
AWESOME!
wonderful photo. gigantic creature.
I guess, if you're not going to do a lot of active swimming around hunting, you eat whatever Mother (Nature) serves. Makes sense. Begs the next question: Just how many calories does it take to power one of these guys? Most reptiles I know of don't eat a whole lot of bulk, not needing to heat anything.
Great information and wonderful photo.
Some folks have analyzed stomach contents with surprising results...They eat fish primarily, but they also eat snakes, young gators, mammals, amphibians, young birds, crawfish, snails, and a surprising amount of vegetable matter (tupelo fruit for example).
Is Pete, and the other alligator snapping turtles, picky about what he eats, or will he snap at any living thing that floats into his mouth? Or can you tell?
He's the biggest turtle i've ever seen!!
Again very good job Mitch :-) really cool looking animal !
like a boss!
Facebook possibly
I was deliberate on the acronym because you would readily recognize it if you were a member. But it is the Field Herp Forum and you can find other people with similar interests. I just thought I recognized your name from somewhere additional.