Alligator Snapping Turtle article

In the article, the writer noted the species gets to 220#.

When I was a kid in south Alabama, one of the local outdoor TV personalities interviewed a man that had caught several large ones...probably about that size. Curious thing was that one of the turles had initials and an 1860s date carved into it. I know they live a long time, but any turtle caught in the South during that timeframe was probably eaten, not released. We ate quite a few of these in my youth. Tasted like chicken, and pork, and beef...depending on what part it was, I guess.

Anyways, the comments section highlights the ongoing opposition to controlling the unwanted species in an environment. Kind of like the Chinese carp issue up country.

Just thought it was interesting.

Mark

It's interesting they consider them invasive even though the article clearly states they ARE native to the area. How can something be native AND invasive?

Alligator Snappers are protected here in IL...you almost never see them. Common snappers are just that though...common.

I'm pretty sure that's supposed to be "southeast USA" instead, although I wouldn't think that correct either if you have them in IL.

That was just a baby. Here are what they look like down here.




[img]http://lh3.ggpht.com/O-2bYFksSvrfKaiNcE5...NEX0ORlCb=s1200[/img]




I have one or two along with the common snapping turtles that move between my pond and the gully it overflows into. A few weeks ago I began seeing two different soft shell turtles in the pond too.

Dam those are some big snappers. I am guessing they do not have the long neck the snappers up here in Ontario have. The only place you can grab them is by the tail or they can reach you. You better be strong enough to hold them out away from your person too. Unless the water is 50 or below for get about playing with them.

Cheers Don.

Yes, this paragraph, well, just seems stupid, but perhaps there's a reason for the position:

"Alligator snapping turtles, one of the largest freshwater turtles in North America, are often referred to as the “dinosaur of the turtle world.” While the species is native to southeast Oregon, the ODFW says the reptiles are considered an invasive species. They compete with native turtles for food, nesting and habitat, and carry parasites that native turtles are not immune to."

Also funny how they call that a-snapper large compared to the pictures posted on this thread.

We were in a bar one night and this guy was talking about the "turtle tongue" trick. While he was demonstrating it, this girl smacked him right off of his bar stool. Probably one of the best laughs I've ever had.