This humongous Snapping Turtle was making its way across the traffic on Bridge Road the other morning when Phil stopped to help it along. (Click on blog link for other photo.) He was huge!
“Snapping turtles, which can grow up to 40 pounds, can live for decades, with some reaching over 100 years. Their long lifespan is a testament to their durability and adaptability. These turtles spend most of their lives in water, which helps them avoid predators and extreme climate conditions.”
Have you ever seen a Snapping Turtle here on the Cape?
Is he outgrowing his shell??
Overview
“A snapping turtle’s shell does grow with it. Unlike some other animals, turtles don’t shed their shells and get a new one. Instead, their shells are part of their skeleton and grow along with them. The shell is made up of the turtle’s fused ribs, vertebrae, and a bony plate called the pectoral girdle, along with a layer of keratin (like fingernails) on the outside. As the turtle grows, the shell expands, and the outer layer of keratin, called scutes, sheds to make way for new, larger ones.”
Good to know!
Thank you, Mel and Phil, for coming to the aid of this snapping turtle. They are very unique and beautiful animals.