Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
GUESS WHO GREETED ME IN THE GARDEN THIS MORNING? Yes, the snapping turtle above (I dare you to click the photo), one of several who will arrive this month. They ascend from the Hudson River tributary that runs behind my property, in search of a sunny, open spot to lay their eggs. I really don’t like them. They are gargantuan, and have strong jaws and sharp teeth. What to do if you encounter this Chelydra serpentina:
Well, if you encounter one in your yard, just leave it alone. It will stay for about 4 hours, dig one or more holes with its powerful hind legs, and deposit its eggs. Then it will return from whence it came.
When I wrote about snapping turtles last year, reader Tammy Lenski commented that all drivers should keep a long-handled broom in their car. Then, if you spot a snapper on the road — and this is a common sight in certain areas — move the end of the broom handle near the reptile’s mouth. It will latch onto the handle. Then you can drag the turtle to safe ground, while you stay safe, too. Wise advice, no?
I’m sorry I don’t have a picture of some snapping turtle hatchlings. These emerge in August. Unlike the parent, the hatchlings are cute. They usually wind up in the skimmer basket of my swimming pool. I rescue them, of course, and carry them down to the banks of the creek. Could the turtle I encountered this morning be one of my rescues? Probably!
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Andrew Thompson says
“Ack” is right. Beastly things.
Carol says
That's a great tip for drivers! Putting a broom in my car now…
Dawn Gonano says
I had one of those dang things living in my lily pond for years. Couldn't get rid of it. Finally one year we had a big rain, and the level of the pond was so high the darn thing just left one day.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Dawn – be grateful for that big rain. It's not fun to have them lurking about.
Sasha Sanchez says
Here in SE NC we have LOTS of these .. We call them cooters .. Believe it or not some folks here eat them ..
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Sasha – LOL! But which wine goes with braised Snapping Turtle? Maybe champagne???
Dawn Gonano says
They do make a famously delicious soup. I'm thinking a white, since reptile meat is white like chicken.
James says
Your garden sounds like “wild kingdom!”
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Dawn – I wonder — is this the turtle of the famous “Turtle Soup”? I'll have to research a recipe. (Not that I'd ever prepare such a thing!)
James – welcome to A Garden for the House! My garden borders a forest, so I never know what will creep into the yard.
Tammy says
I always think they look downright paleolithic. Last summer I sat in my kayak staring at one floating in the water, and it staring at me, for a good 10 minutes. Then he just went on his way.
Glad you found my tip helpful, Kevin!
Broken Barn Industries says
ONE day after I read this post, we had a painted turtle laying eggs at the edge of one of my perennial beds! I couldn't believe the coincidence. This was a first for both of us. If the dog hadn't alerted us, we would have missed it.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Tammy – wonder what he/she was thinking during that stare-down. Your broom-handle tip was terrific!
BBI – Coincidence, yes! And it's amazing how respectful turtles can be…your painted one laid eggs at the edge your perennial bed, now in it; my snapping turtles have only laid eggs in un-landscaped areas of the yard.
Broken Barn Industries says
I used a plant marker to make sure I won't disturb the nest. It says “TURTLE EGGS”. People are going to start wondering just what I'm growing around here.
Christina L, says
Snapping turtles will eat baby (and larger) ducks by grabbing their legs and pulling them under water. I vote to destroy those eggs and run over the turtles. If approached, they will rear back on their hind legs and leap at you. They're very scarry.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Christina L – welcome. Believe me, destroying the snapping turtle eggs is always my first thought. Eggs which are deposited in the compost piles do get destroyed as the material is used during summer. Otherwise the turtles are very good at covering their tracks. Seven turtles have already “visited” me this June.