Face to Face with the Past

They've been around since the dinosaurs stomped through the primordial swamps. And they have pretty much remained as they began. When you look into the eyes of a snapping turtle (something that is not so easy to do, actually) you are looking into a time machine.

When David found this little chap hanging out near one of the woodpiles, he did the neighbourly thing: he scooped the little guy up and transported him to the lake. The snapper was very grateful. These turtles are happiest in freshwater lakes, and the corners of our bays are ideal for them. They like the cat-tails and bullrushes, and the muddy bottom of the lake in those areas.

As their Latin name suggests -- Chelydra serpentina -- snapping turtles can strike like a snake. They are unique in that aspect among turtles. They will defend themselves by striking viciously and they are so fast it's hard to see them coming, so it is best to give them their space. An adult snapper can weight up to 40 pounds and be about 14" long in their rough carapace.

But, we hasten to add, you have to aggravate them first. Turtles do not lie in wait in the trees planning to jump on you. People are not their first choice of a meal -- and while they are savage and efficient hunters, when in the water, they are quite unaggressive towards people and will usually just slip away from you.

On land, however, where they feel vulnerable, they can be quite fierce. It is best to give them their space. Often at this time of year you will see females on the edge of the road, digging their nests into the soft gravel shoulders. Don't ever mess with a female about to lay her eggs! But do take care -- car kills are the leading cause of death among these ancient and amazing creatures, and have been extensive enough to put them on the endangered list. Turtles don't move all that fast -- you should be able to avoid them while driving. Really...

David wisely wore gloves to handle this fellow. Even a small snapper like this can give you a nasty bite if you are foolish enough to stick a finger in his beak. It's a good chance to see their fat fleshy tail, their five clawed feet and that signature sharp beaked face, however!

He - or she? - is back in the lake now, and we wish our snapping turtle well. Even though, no doubt, later in the year we will be heartbroken when one of the wild ducklings vanishes, yanked down from beneath the water by a snapping turtle. Everybody has to eat. Every species has a place. We have to let Nature work. Fluffy ducklings score high on the Cute Factor, but take another look at the face of this snapping turtle. The species has survived for some 230 million years. you have to respect that, too.