Old Mossy Back Snapping Turtle
by Carol Senske
Title
Old Mossy Back Snapping Turtle
Artist
Carol Senske
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
This marvelous creature was about two feet long nose tip to tail tip. It was gliding slowly through the water of a local pond, posing (I suppose) for it's 15 minutes of fame.
There are two types of snapping turtles in America. This is the Common Snapping Turtle and the shell is often covered with algae because they spend long periods of time laying on the bottom just waiting for a meal. Their necks are long so they can extend it to get their heads above water for a breath.
Do people really eat these as soup? Of course I know they do, but why???????
This picture was taken June 4, 2014, at the White's Mill Preservation Area in Tylersport, Pennsylvania, USA. I used a Canon T4i with a Tamron macro, 90mm lens.
Uploaded
June 4th, 2014
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Viewed 362 Times - Last Visitor from Romeo, MI on 03/21/2024 at 5:27 PM
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Comments (1)
Nancy Kane Chapman
And what fine markings on his back ...or is this just where the algae has been rubbed away? Either way, he looks like a warrior turtle....all decked out in war paint! Great shot~ they do bite!!!
Carol Senske replied:
i think that is where it went under a log or something - rubbed off algae or not, he is a warrior turtle - maybe even a Ninja??? Yup, they bite and should not be handled. The neck is ling and can extend enough to reach the back feet so no one should pick them up, especially not by the tail which could hurt the turtle. Also, getting them to bite onto a stick and dragging them off the road (or elsewhere) can scrape them and create a place for infection to set in. We have coaxed and herded a few, with GREAT care and caution not to get too close, to the safety of the "other side of the road". People do run over them on purpose - to all of you who read this, please don't do that:>) they, like vultures and buzzards, eat carrion and keep the environment clean. THANK YOU, NANCY:>) HE OR SHE IS AN AGED AND VENERABLE TURTLE!