Did You Know?

That snapping turtle in your neighborhood pond?

It might be older than your house. Older than you. Possibly older than your parents.

→ Common snapping turtles can live 50-100+ years
→ They don't reach full size until age 15-20
→ A 40-pound snapper might be 40-70 years old
→ They return to the SAME pond their entire life
→ They were likely there BEFORE the neighborhood was built

What snapping turtles do for your pond:

→ Eat dead and dying fish (disease cleanup)
→ Eat invasive species (crayfish, certain snails)
→ Control algae growth
→ Scavenge carrion from the bottom (nature's vacuum)
→ Maintain balanced aquatic ecosystems

"But they're dangerous!"

→ In water: snapping turtles are shy and avoid humans
→ They only bite defensively when handled ON LAND
→ They cannot "chase" you (they're slow on land)
→ They don't attack swimmers
→ Most bites happen because someone tried to pick one up

RIGHT NOW, in spring, female snappers leave ponds to lay eggs on land.

→ They can travel 1+ mile to find a nesting site
→ They cross roads (turtle roadkill peaks in May-June)
→ If you see one crossing a road: help it across in the direction it's heading
→ NEVER pick up by the tail (damages the spine)
→ Slide a flat object underneath or push from behind with a stick

She's been using that pond since before you were born.

She'll use it after you're gone.