Finger Removal Tool - AKA Large Snapping Turtle

melas · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 02:08 PM

Okay here are some pics of my 50lb Florida Snapping Turtle . . . his name is Vader . . . if you heard him hissing you'd know exactly why!

John E Dove · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 02:21 PM

Nice little fella. :lol:
Reminds me of the insanity we use to participate in when I lived in W VA of enter streams and shallow rivers to catch them grab them by the tail.

melas · #3 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 02:38 PM

yeah we usedto do the same thing here in PA. The only thing with one this large is that picking them up that way will actually dislocate the tail!

bLue_reverie · #4 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 06:56 PM

I once had to relocate some large snappers in a murky shallow pond. Best way to do it is just grab the shell right above their neck. 90% of it is locating their head. Making a mistake in that department may cost you the ability to flip people off in traffic.

melas · #5 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 07:10 PM

interesting . . . you do know they can pull the head completely into their shell right? :shock: i don't see that working out well. . . i know that is commonly done with the alligator snappers as their head is so huge they can even get it partially in the shell. i'll leave grabbing the shell behind the head up to you! i'll just keep grabbing the back legs and shell! :twisted:

bLue_reverie · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 08:45 PM

These were alligator snappers in tb zoo in nj. I just thought all snappers were unable to fully retract their heads. Well it's a good thing I've never tried it with another species. I'm quite proud of my ability to express my road rage.

John E Dove · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 04:57 AM

We were not too worried about hurting them, they were for food.

melas · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bLue_reverie

These were alligator snappers in tb zoo in nj. I just thought all snappers were unable to fully retract their heads. Well it's a good thing I've never tried it with another species. I'm quite proud of my ability to express my road rage.

Haha! Good to know . . . I didn't want to say it but I was thinking you were totally insane! Yeah the alligator snappers can't pull in that huge head but the Common Snappers and the Florida Snappers sure can! Those alligator snappers get SOOOOO stinking huge . . . I've never picked one of them up but I'm sure it'd be pretty intimidating!

melas · #9 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John E Dove

We were not too worried about hurting them, they were for food.

haha! ah yes . . . that is a different thing altogether! i've always wanted to try snapping turtle . . . there are quite a few folks around here who get them . . .

bLue_reverie · #10 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melas

I didn't want to say it but I was thinking you were totally insane!

Not too bad of an assumption. Ones I moved were around the 30-70lb. range so they weren't full grown. But like I said, it was in murky water. You basically had to shift them around the water a bit until you see some eyes and nostrils.