Snapping Turtle

Found this little guy(shell was a little bigger than my hand) while out birding this afternoon. Right where I needed him to be, and he stayed right there.

"A Long Way to Go...!"
But it never gives up...keeps walking and walking...
Nice picture!

Thanks. Made for a fun day.

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Great pic!

Lucky you! . I just spend a month back east, and really hoped that I would find a Snapping Turtle to photograph at some point during my visit. . No such luck. . I'm glad you were able to find a Snapper in such a nice situation. . Great work!

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Snappers are very common here, but have never seen one laying eggs. Hoping they hatch, Ive been watching the site for signs of other critters finding it and nothing so far.

Shackleton wrote in post #18892513
Snappers are very common here, but have never seen one laying eggs. Hoping they hatch, Ive been watching the site for signs of other critters finding it and nothing so far.

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Oh, there are eggs?

I didn't see you say anything about eggs earlier in the thread.

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Tom Reichner wrote in post #18892943
Oh, there are eggs?

I didn't see you say anything about eggs earlier in the thread.

It may be implied; the turtle is a juvenile.

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OhLook wrote in post #18892966
It may be implied; the turtle is a juvenile.

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But, as of May 15th, this juvenile's shell was already bigger than his hand, and as of July 12th, he is waiting for eggs to hatch ..... I don't see a connection.

I think one can reasonably assume that the Snapping Turtle in the photo is one that hatched out last year.

I am still curious about the eggs. . He mentioned them as if he had already addressed them in the thread, when no mention had been made. . That leaves me a bit confused. . I would like to know exactly what is going on, as Snapping Turtles are of particular interest to me.


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Sorry, got confused which turtle photo I was talking about. The one laying eggs was a different, and much larger, turtle. I didn't look to see which snapper I was discussing and thought it was the more recent one(20 pound range). I'll try and post that one after work tonight.

OK, here's the one I found laying eggs. Sorry about the confusion. I had been discussing this turtle on another forum, as well as with some local friends and forgot all about having taken the picture of the little one above. didn't look at my own post and just replied to the new posts. My mistake.

I know where THIS turtle's nest site is, so far no sign of it being disturbed. Came upon her alongside the road on my way to work. Didn't even have to mark anything, the no passing zone sign on the other side of the road points right at the nest.
Sorry about the wait for the pic, computer is acting up too.

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Love it!

She is one mean looking mother!

Next time I get back east I'm gonna spend more time looking for these guys .... would love to have an opportunity like this.


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If you ever make it to IA I can show you a real monster. There is a pond just outside the parking lot where I work with several snappers. One well over 40 pounds(have caught and weighed them up to 50, it's close to that).

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Shackleton wrote in post #18893290
If you ever make it to IA I can show you a real monster. There is a pond just outside the parking lot where I work with several snappers. One well over 40 pounds(have caught and weighed them up to 50, it's close to that).

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Iowa?! . Cool. . I just may take you up on that offer.

That's not too far ..... I pass through Iowa when I road-trip back to Pennsylvania. . It'd only take me two or two and a half days to get there, depending on if you're toward the eastern or the western side of the state.

I just couldn't plan it until next year ..... it's fire season now and I dare not leave until October. . And then I figure that October isn't very good timing for turtle activity. . So perhaps late next spring or early next summer, when I am either going to or coming back from Pennsylvania.

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I'm in the northeast corner, the pond with the big one is in north central. Been watching it for 3 years now. Ive seen only the head until this year when I saw it out of water. Easily one of the 5 biggest I've seen.

As for time, shoot me a message anytime you find yourself in the area. You never know when we might find one. Latest Ive seen is obe mild winter, my brother caught a 15 pounder on December 20.