Other Turtle Discussion :: i had my first encounter with....

[gammeragirl]

I live in Florida, never seen a gopher turtle but do remember working with some people years ago who were raised in the country and told me that they would actually go root out gopher turtles from holes and catch them and EAT them. Awwww, poor turts. They considered them a delicacy!

[JessicaTS]

Gopher Tortoise


Florida Snapper

[jenaero]

i already knew what they both looked like but with that closeup comparison i'd have to go with snapper. If it's not a snapper, its not a gopher tort either

[TinySlider2]

Oh my gosh, I have never seen a turtle do that. I would have yelled too.

[Oldturtle72]

What you have there is a Common Snapping Turtle. A Alligator Snapping Turtle would have high ridges on its' top shell(carapace) and on the top of the tail. The ridges on a Common Snapper are not very high and the same on the tail. Also, in the opened mouth of the Alligator Snapper there is a 'worm-like' appendage hanging down that the turtle uses as a lure to attract fish to within stricking distance. The Common Snapper does not have this 'lure'. You are very lucky in that both turtles are capable of biting through a broom handle. And as a little more trivia--Most tortoises, including the Gopher Tortoise have dome shaped top shells(carapaces). George

[marisa]

Couldn't see the video (sounds like I missed something good), but am wondering what that turtle has in his mouth to make him almost look like he as the mumps.

[BigCT]

That is the cooles looking turtle ever!!

the round face is sweet. I'll be doing some research and see if we can't figure out exactly what it is.

Every one at work will now think twice about touching a wild turtle.

[evilsr20degg]

ok it definately looks like a fl snapper..... from th epics above. so that would make it the second snapper ive found but the first one was a lot friendlier....and brighter in colors too.