
A smile to beguile
Several years ago, I had my first introduction to the awe inspiring Common Snapping turtle. The size rendered me speechless (the carapace on this one being around 38 cm). And very quickly, I learned that the wonderful look of contentment and joy that seems apparent on these characters faces is completely misleading.......
I witnessed first hand, the combative disposition these turtles are known for when out of the water...with their powerful beak-like jaws, large claws, muscular build and highly mobile head and neck, they present a real danger to all who come near.
Having found itself on the road, this snapper was herded back in to vegetation, well away from traffic.

The common snapping turtle is a large freshwater turtle of the family Chelydridae. Its natural range extends from southeastern Canada, southwest to the edge of the Rocky Mountains, as far east as Nova Scotia and Florida and as far southwest as northeastern Mexico. This species and the larger alligator snapping turtle are the only two species in this family found in North America.
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