Running Ape Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 So while tubing a western mass river, I drifted over a good sized snapping turtle in an eddy 24” deep. It did nothing, other than continue walking. Are they less aggressive in the water? On land I’m sure I would have been bitten at that distance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikez2 Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 They're not aggressive at all. You have to corner one and poke at it to see it get snappy. Otherwise they just want to get away. In the water they ignore you if you leave them alone. I have snorkeled with them on numerous occasions. Often right near crowded swimming beaches. They're walking along the bottom with people swimming over the top of them all day. I've seen them come up for air in the middle of the roped off swimming area and 40 people swimming in there never noticed. Intrepid95, Bwstriper44, MattieG and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkunkLuvver Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 The only time snapping turtles worry me is when I’m wading and then my only concern is stepping right on top of one thinking it’s a rock.. still doubt it would do anything other than try to get away. Ive never once heard of anyone getting chomped by one.. ever. That said, they still freak me out. ribeye and Captain Tuttle 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pescador710 Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 54 mins ago, SkunkLuvver said: The only time snapping turtles worry me is when I’m wading and then my only concern is stepping right on top of one thinking it’s a rock.. still doubt it would do anything other than try to get away. Ive never once heard of anyone getting chomped by one.. ever. That said, they still freak me out. People get chomped. Usually the situation you just described. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoffeeHangover Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 Never had one take a swipe at me that I didn't deserve, though like already said I can't help but think about accidentally stepping on one while wading. Like almost all animals they're more afraid of us than we are of them. ribeye 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadogg Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 Must be an enlarged medulla oblongata. putty, Ftyer, bumknee and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishallways Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 I’ve bumped into huge snappers wading. It will get your attention. I'll ignore your cheap aroma, and your little-bo-peep diploma, I'll just put you in a coma, with some dirty love- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Running Ape Posted July 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 Of course, there is this: blkdog and CoffeeHangover 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Running Ape Posted July 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 Not just asking, begging for it. blkdog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDe Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 Years ago I wore wading boots with shiny D rings in the back. Don’t even recall the brand. I was fly fishing the Nashoba brook in Acton, before they ruined it, when a snapping turtle tried to grab the boot ring as I’m standing in two feet of water. I’m pretty sure the turtle was as surprised as I was. Forgot about that incident till seeing this thread. I miss what that place once was. Peter D 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albacized Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 On 7/18/2021 at 4:56 PM, Running Ape said: So while tubing a western mass river, I drifted over a good sized snapping turtle in an eddy 24” deep. It did nothing, other than continue walking. Are they less aggressive in the water? On land I’m sure I would have been bitten at that distance. A number of years ago, I took my daughter to the river walk bridge behind the Shaws in Waltham to throw bread to the ducks/geese. So we started throwing the bread and the ducks were enjoyed their free meals. A pretty large snapping turtle snuck up on one of the ducks and grabbed it's foot, pulling it under the water. The duck did get away and flew out of there pretty fast. But I actually think the turtle just wanted some of the bread (started eating the bread) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikez2 Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 37 mins ago, JohnDe said: Years ago I wore wading boots with shiny D rings in the back. Don’t even recall the brand. I was fly fishing the Nashoba brook in Acton, before they ruined it, when a snapping turtle tried to grab the boot ring as I’m standing in two feet of water. I’m pretty sure the turtle was as surprised as I was. Forgot about that incident till seeing this thread. I miss what that place once was. Oh man, nashoba brook! I fished that place hard in the 80s and 90s. Still visit occasionally but I frigging hate bike trails with a passion. Peter D 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikez2 Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 23 mins ago, albacized said: A number of years ago, I took my daughter to the river walk bridge behind the Shaws in Waltham to throw bread to the ducks/geese. So we started throwing the bread and the ducks were enjoyed their free meals. A pretty large snapping turtle snuck up on one of the ducks and grabbed it's foot, pulling it under the water. The duck did get away and flew out of there pretty fast. But I actually think the turtle just wanted some of the bread (started eating the bread) Snappers get real tame and aggressive around places where they feed ducks. They're like alligators that are fed by tourists in the south. They learn to rush over to people and quickly grab whatever splashes the surface. I can easily see a snapper grabbing a hand by accident in a case like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Running Ape Posted July 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 There are some large ones at the River Williams zoo in the natural pond that hit every single thing that falls in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikx Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 Once I was duck hunting on Sudbury River and that one mallard fell into the lily pads on the other side of the river. Before I could get to it, there was some commotion nearby and, a few seconds later, the duck got pulled down under the water, never to be seen again. I'm pretty sure it was very dead by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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