Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey folks,

I came across a very small snapping turtle today on a gravel parking lot in a conservation area.. I picked the little guy up and he/she was barely active. i thought it may have been dead! well, I happened to have a bottle of water and cut open the bottle, paced it in there and it seemed to come alive.

I examined it for several minutes then decided to release it. The nearest waterbody was about 300 metres away..

The specimen measured no more than 2.75 inches, maybe 3inches in total.. the carapace was just slightly larger than a two dollar coin..

I was perplexed to say the least. Was this a hatchling from last summer? given that it is only may 21, it could not have been from this season's hatch.. the only thing i could think of is that someone came across it and picked it up, perhpas sme kids.. they then decided to let it go in the parking lot of the park as they were driving off.. otherwise, how could it hatch in may and what the heck was it doing there so far from any water?

any thoughts???

Thahnks,

NK

Hello from Ontario,

Well snappers usually have their last clutch of eggs around fall and new hatchlings have to survive the winter. so that little guy would be a hatchling from last fall. Here is a site to check out also if you want more info. I have been doing stream surveys in teh fall where all of a sudden dozen of the little guys come floating down the stream. Lates
Link