Snappy's Rescue
I was on the highway going about 50mph, when I spotted a rocky-looking thing in the distance, next to a concrete divider. As I passed it, I saw that it was a turtle.
I wasn’t sure if it was dead or alive. At the next intersection, I decided not to U-turn and try to pass it again; instead I parked at a convenience store and then jogged back along the narrow shoulder for half a mile to see it up close.
It was mid-afternoon, 85 degrees, and the traffic was heavy. I had to wait a couple of minutes for a break in the traffic. Finally, I ran to him and saw that he was alive, hissing, and looking scared and angry.
I reached for his big 7" tail, whipped him into the air, putting my left hand under him as much as I could, careful to avoid letting him reach me with his bite attempts. Snapper turtles strike very fast and have quite a reach when their over-sized head and neck extend!
I didn’t have much time to worry (or think!) about getting bitten. I needed to get off the road, then make my way back to my van. A man outside the convenience store asked me what the heck I was carrying. “A juvenile snapping turtle.” I said. The man told me that there is a creek nearby, and that there had been hard rains and some overflowing the day and night before. It's possible the snapper had come from the creek.
I put the turtle in the back of the van, and then had to figure out what to do to safely contain this angry chunky creature until I could release it back in the wild. I went inside the convenience store, asked for some bags and for a box or two. The store clerk was very accommodating. He gave me the bags and let me go into the back and help myself. I got a little box and a bigger one, just the right size to contain the wild turtle I'd found.
I returned to the van and slowly opened the back doors. The turtle had made his way to the front. I had to climb in to catch him once again. The turtle reacted by making a big mess, wetting all over the front of the inside! It was definitely too late to change my mind about rescuing him now! When I grasped his tail, he tried to attack my hand again! But I managed to get him in the box without either of us getting hurt. He settled down and just tried to hide.
At home, I put the turtle in a big Rubbermaid container with some nice fresh water. I secured the lid to keep the nosy cat from poking in!
Later I offered “Snappy” some turkey meat. He ate some, a very good sign that he would survive despite the stress he had been through.
The next day I brought him outside for some fresh air, and to take some pictures. Then I put him in the car to go to the Humane Society so that they could release him back in the wild. The Humane Society, whom I've brought turtles to before, assured me that their rescue drivers know several lakes and ponds where they could release him. So I brought Snappy to the Humane Society's office. The woman commented how he was still small. He measured 14 inches... some adult snappers can grow up to 2 feet. I gave her the turtle, container and all, a donation since I had no desire to try to reach in and risk giving him a hand sandwich!
I miss Snappy. He was so primitive looking, and such a survivor. But a snapper turtle has no place being a pet. He would end up biting or even eating all my other pets if given the chance! I am so glad to have rescued him from that busy highway. Now he is back in the lake, where he will hopefully live long and prosper!
Click for Closeups of Snappy
Rich B.
Questions? Email me: rbergins@earthlink.net
