Posted on 06/12/2010 4:26:12 AM PDT by Daffynition
GARRISON, N.Y. (CBS) ― Respect that reptile!
CBS 2's Tony Aiello learned that lesson Friday as he handled a female snapping turtle for an assignment.
The turtle lurched its neck out, reared back, and tried to take a snap at Aiello's nose.
"I'd like to think I have a 'nose for news,'" Aiello said. "I'm glad my nose survived in one piece."
Aiello was at the historic Boscobel House and Gardens in Putnam County, which is celebrating turtle nesting season Saturday with its annual "Turtle Walk."
More than 800 turtles live in a marsh on the Hudson River, several hundred feet below the estate.
Each June, female snapping turtles make a perilous climb up from the marsh to dig nests on the lawn behind Boscobel.
Audubon Society turtle expert Richard Anderson gave Aiello a lesson on how to safely pick up and handle the turtle.
As Aiello taped an on-camera stand-up holding the reptile about chest high, the turtle got testy, reared back, and snapped at Aiello's face.
"I knew the creature walked slow, but snapped quick," said Aiello. "I sure found out just how quick. No wonder snapping turtles have been around for more than 50 million years. They know how to fend for themselves."
Anderson said handling the turtle was not harmful to its well-being. The female was captured from the marsh Friday morning, and will be returned Saturday afternoon, after it is used in an educational presentation at Boscobel.
They may walk slow but snapping turtles have long necks and they are fast with the jaws. I guess that’s why they are called “snapping turtles”.
“Fear The Turtle”
He’s luck it didn’t get him. They won’t let go until it thunders.
I LIKE TURTLES !
They are ugly, but still cool.
Thanks for finding this video. Amazing.
I saw a HUGE snapper on the side of the road a couple of weeks ago. It was easily twice the size of the one in the photo. The legs on this critter were bigger than my forearms. I wish I’d have had my camera. I dubbed it a “Tennessee Triceratops”. I caught a smaller one, about the size of a dinner plate, last week that was making it’s way towards one of my ponds. I managed to get her in to a bucket with a shovel, all while her jaws were snapping away. I put her in the river on the other side of the property. You don’t want them in your fish ponds. They will wreak havoc on the fish in a small pond.
Enjoyed the video very much!! :)
Oh, snap.
There is no large body of water near my property. My neighbor across the street has a pond but that's about 1000' feet away. Not sure what they were doing in my yard.
Thanks for the link. We have an acre and a half pond and my husband’s been trying to figure out how to kill the snappers. They don’t worry me. They aren’t aggressive and I enjoy seeing them wander around the pond. I just sent him the link.
I’ve seen snappers that far away from any water. They were wandering around a couple of weeks ago I thought looking for fun but maybe they were females looking for somewhere to nest. They do have to find a dry place to lay their eggs.
I recall reading an article a month or so ago that the Feds were considering putting the Alligator Snapping Turtles on the Endangered Species list. I see ‘em all the time in my neck of the woods. They might be endangered in some places, but not around here.
The arrogance of the nature lover, almost literally came back to bite him.
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