Yeah, they would. When I was very small my grandfather taught me about them. Had a branch as big around as my wrist, and waved it around near an old blind snapper that lived back in the marsh behind his farm, a monster he was. That old blind turtle moved like you wouldn't believe, and clamped on right around that branch. My grandfather then told me to try to pull it free; couldn't do it, he wouldn't let go. Lesson: Either stay away from 'em, or kill 'em, but don't play around.
I remember being told to stay away from turtles because if it bit you, it wouldn’t let go until it thundered! I wonder who made that one up!