With a face only a mother could love, this snapping turtle made its way from the lake to our back yard where it decided to lay a few eggs. The grand kids decided to call here Ugly Betty.
Looks, however, may be deceiving. Snapping turtles are amazing works of God's creations. The snapping turtle is a bold and aggressive hunter. it's massive, sharp-edged jaws are good for grasping many different aquatic and semi-aquatic creatures and it is certainly capable of tearing off a probing finger.
The snappers can grow in weight to more than 40 pounds and live more than 40 years.
Snappers defend themselves in a manner similar to snakes by "striking" at enemies with the speed of a rattle snake. So quick is the movement that the eye is barely able to follow it.
After spending an afternoon scratching through the back yard gravel, the creature made its way back to the lake where it is much more agile and at home.
Notice the beauty mark under the left eye!
