Alligator Snapping Turtle

Geomyda · 10-09-2008, 09:40 AM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ng-turtle.html
I was called last night to ID a very large Turtle which has recently been fished out of a lake in the Birmingham area.
A very splendid, but sadly misplaced monster that is living feral in a Carp lake!
He reminded me of my own "Edward Scissorhead"

**Bindi** · 10-09-2008, 11:42 AM

Wow, he is some looker! How big was he, did anyone weigh and measure? Any idea of age, Geomyda? Final question, where did he end up? Oh, and one more, do you have one of these?

Bindi

70ridgeway · 10-09-2008, 12:40 PM

seen that in our local news paper last night well done you

Zen · 10-09-2008, 12:41 PM

Wow! another pet that got to big to look after and released into the wild perhaps?

I read a similer story a while ago now and the local duck and chick population kept dissapering from a lake and also people finding birds with injuries to the their feet, turns out a large terrapin was the culprit.

Such a shame people cant take them to rescue centres, but it looks like this one has been doing well on it's own! are they kept as pets? and need specalist care?

gtm · 10-09-2008, 05:24 PM

Fascinating animal & he looks in decent shape, Paul - they look similar to the 'Proganochelys'. I would'nt want one in my house though.

Looks like a classic case of an owner ambitions being defeated by his lack of capabilities.

Sylvia1 · 10-09-2008, 05:48 PM

Oh wow - have you still got all your fingers?

Geomyda · 10-09-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindi

Wow, he is some looker! How big was he, did anyone weigh and measure? Any idea of age, Geomyda? Final question, where did he end up? Oh, and one more, do you have one of these?

Bindi

All I have seen so far, were photo's taken by the Fisherman. As it says in the article, They then put it back in the lake.
From the photo's, I would estimate it at 15-20KG.
Yes, I have this species in my collection.

**Lowe** · 10-09-2008, 07:03 PM

They put it back?

Looks like a real handful, are they really that aggressive?

jeff · 10-09-2008, 07:08 PM

Hi Paul
How many diffrent spieces of turtle do you keep.

Geomyda · 10-09-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowe

They put it back?

Looks like a real handful, are they really that aggressive?

The Alligator snapper, is really a large pre-historic Fish trap. It spends hours each day sitting quietly on the bottom of its watery home. This is often, a purposely constructed pond which it creates by rotating its huge body and claws, to effectively make a sump or pond-(Similar to Alligator holes). In this environment, it will sit with its jaws open, offering a worm like lure , on its tongue to passing fish. This for the most part is their prey. They will of course also catch and eat water birds, and even mammals that get too close.
Is it aggressive? Only if you are stupid and try and handle it incorrectly!

Edward Scissorhead, pic attached lived with me very happily for more than Twenty four years;

10-09-2008, 09:40 AM	#1
Geomyda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Surrey Posts: 2,094	Alligator Snapping Turtle http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ng-turtle.html I was called last night to ID a very large Turtle which has recently been fished out of a lake in the Birmingham area. A very splendid, but sadly misplaced monster that is living feral in a Carp lake! He reminded me of my own "Edward Scissorhead"

10-09-2008, 12:40 PM	#3
70ridgeway Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: walsall Posts: 2,345	seen that in our local news paper last night well done you __________________ 2 herman,4 iberas,2redfoots, 2 ybs,4dogs,ferrets,racing pigeons,1 bearded dragon,1 pen cooter,3 map turtles, 2 kittens,1 royal python and 6 canarys

10-09-2008, 12:41 PM	#4
Zen Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Banbury Oxfordshire Posts: 2,623	Wow! another pet that got to big to look after and released into the wild perhaps? I read a similer story a while ago now and the local duck and chick population kept dissapering from a lake and also people finding birds with injuries to the their feet, turns out a large terrapin was the culprit. Such a shame people cant take them to rescue centres, but it looks like this one has been doing well on it's own! are they kept as pets? and need specalist care? __________________ Rachael & Zen (THB) 'Show gratitude to every living thing'

10-09-2008, 05:48 PM	#6
Sylvia1 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Somerset Posts: 2,465	Oh wow - have you still got all your fingers? __________________ Sylvia 3 hermanns, 2 leopards, 2 german shepherds, 5 cats, 3 tropical tanks

10-09-2008, 07:08 PM	#9
jeff Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,180	Hi Paul How many diffrent spieces of turtle do you keep. __________________

10-09-2008, 11:42 AM	#2
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	Wow, he is some looker! How big was he, did anyone weigh and measure? Any idea of age, Geomyda? Final question, where did he end up? Oh, and one more, do you have one of these? Bindi

10-09-2008, 05:24 PM	#5
gtm Member Hatchling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Surrey Posts: 659	Fascinating animal & he looks in decent shape, Paul - they look similar to the 'Proganochelys'. I would'nt want one in my house though. Looks like a classic case of an owner ambitions being defeated by his lack of capabilities.

10-09-2008, 07:03 PM	#8
Lowe Administrator Juvenile Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Newcastle Under Lyme Posts: 855	They put it back? Looks like a real handful, are they really that aggressive?

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