Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was snorkeling yesterday and caught an unusually nicely marked stripe-necked musk turtle. I grabbed him and started making my way to the bank where I had left my camera. While I wasn't looking he managed to wriggle around and bite through my fingertip! I dropped him and he fled. I now have a semicircular flap of flesh held to my fingertip with a bandage; I'm hoping it won't necrotize.

This is the first time I've been bitten by a kinosternid, despite spending many hours handling many dozens of the beasts. Just goes to show you can't let your guard down!

Know that feeling well. I caught a half grown loggerhead musk once while canoeing. I had it in the palm of my hand while I was reaching for my paddle and it clamped down on the base of my ring finger right where it meets the palm. It hung on like a maniac and I ended up with two matching triangular patches of flesh removed. Man, did I howl!