Alligator Snapping Turtle- (1 Viewer)

[efil4stnias]

This guy was on HWY 22 in Madisonville yesterday. I have never seen an Alligator Snapping turtle this size outside of the Audubon Zoo.

I dont know if this picture really does any justice to the actual size of this guy/gal, but when I went to get a closer look, the turtle actually "jumped" and reached his head back toward me which was enough for me to keep my distance.

He eventually continued his trek ( off to the left toward the woods which there is a 1 acre pond about 100yds off )

Massive. The shell was well over 2 ft ( i guessed about 28-30" long and about 20" wide )

pretty neat.

 

[zeetes]

at 2' he is at least 10 years old. probably 100 lbs or more. very cool

 

[SWJJ]

Mmm soup!!

 

[bclemms]

My brother in law found one in the Mississippi River at Vicksburg a couple months ago that probably would have been the state record if he had weighed it. I'll upload the pic off my phone in a few. I have seen quite a few big ones in my life but this thing was just on a different scale.

 

[wizard1183]

Cest Bon!

 

[krushing]

this was amazing. they said during the show that it was eating full grown ducks.
Call of the Wildman: Turtleman Catches Bayou Monster : Video : Animal Planet

 

[FLIPPY]

I'll bring the sherry...

 

[efil4stnias]

this was amazing. they said during the show that it was eating full grown ducks.
Call of the Wildman: Turtleman Catches Bayou Monster : Video : Animal Planet

ok like i said in my op, my pic does it no justice.

That turtle was the same size as the one in the video you just posted.

I shoulda tossed my shoe into pic to give a really good indicator of the size of the turtle. There were about 6 other folks gathered round taking pics and NONE of us wanted to get near him. Hissin and jumpin up was enough for me. I took that pic from about 6 ft away.

It was awesome to actually see one in open as opposed to zoo/aquarium.

 

[KiwiSaint]

Let me scratch off skinny-dipping in Louisiana from my bucket list...

 

[GeauxWhoDats]

When I was in high school I helped a friend of mine catch one of these in his Grandfather's pond. It took 3 of us to pull him out of the water. His grandfather who was 6'6' ~300lbs took a picture next to the turtle and the turtle was about the same size as his torso.

 

[krushing]

ok like i said in my op, my pic does it no justice.

That turtle was the same size as the one in the video you just posted.

I shoulda tossed my shoe into pic to give a really good indicator of the size of the turtle. There were about 6 other folks gathered round taking pics and NONE of us wanted to get near him. Hissin and jumpin up was enough for me. I took that pic from about 6 ft away.

It was awesome to actually see one in open as opposed to zoo/aquarium.

Yea, they are very rare. You saw something most folks will never see.
I cought a giant turtle in backbay MS fishing whern I was a teen. He was half the size of my boat. Thing snapped my gaf handle into as I tried to unhook him. Darndest thing I has ever seen. Looking back, I think thats what he was. He was in Brackish water and I'd never heard of an alagator snapper.

 

[bclemms]

Here is the pic of the turtle my brother in law found.

 

[OldSaintFan]

You guys have got me checking my bathwater before I get in.

 

[Paul]

Here is the pic of the turtle my brother in law found.

Bowser.

 

[geauxboy]

Here is the pic of the turtle my brother in law found.

Holy freakin schnikies, that's a big un. I'd seen many back in Mandyhood, but never anything remotely that big. BTW, your bil is an idiot for getting that close to it.