Snapping Turtle
We found a snapping turtle on its back by our pond. It had bite marks on its neck and on its shell, and was nearly dead. A potential snack for a coyote or perhaps a pack of them?
Likely shaking off the lethargy of winter, the turtle had emerged from the depths of our pond, looking for spring. This old snapper had been attacked some time before we found it.
It was mean looking. Big thick neck. Beady eyes that supposedly see very well. Tail like an alligator. Legs with yellowish, curved claws. A middle sized one as snapping turtles go, maybe 10 or 15 pounds. Big ones will weigh 40 pounds and more. Live to 75 years.
Biologists say snapping turtles lived the same time as the dinosaurs. So whatever you might think of them—they are predators and eat many little ducks and geese—when you see one, you are with ancient history. Very ancient history. Something to consider.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Celebrate Earth Day. The first one was April 22, 1970. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson is credited with organizing it.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 23, 7:00 P.M. Richfield Historical Society. Richfield Town Hall. Old Farm: A History.
April 25, 1:30 P.M. Books and Company, First Congregational Church of Christ, 815 S. Concord Rd. Oconomowoc. Old Farm A History.
April 27, 6:30 P.M. Lake Geneva Public Library. Old Farm: A History.
May 1, 9:30 A.M. WEAC-Retired, Sheraton Hotel, Madison. Stories From the Land.
May 6, 7:00 P.M. Albertson Memorial Library, Albany, WI. Old Farm: A History.
May 7, 10:30 A.M. Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries Convention. Glacier Canyon Lodge at Wilderness Way, Wisconsin Dells. Old Farm: A history.
May 13, 7:00 P.M. Hartford Public Library, Hartford. Old Farm: A History.
May 16, 10:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. Dregne Gift Shop, Westby. Old Farm: A History
May 19, 7:00 P.M. Book Vault, Oskaloosa, Iowa. Old Farm: A History, In a Pickle and more.
Likely shaking off the lethargy of winter, the turtle had emerged from the depths of our pond, looking for spring. This old snapper had been attacked some time before we found it.
It was mean looking. Big thick neck. Beady eyes that supposedly see very well. Tail like an alligator. Legs with yellowish, curved claws. A middle sized one as snapping turtles go, maybe 10 or 15 pounds. Big ones will weigh 40 pounds and more. Live to 75 years.
Biologists say snapping turtles lived the same time as the dinosaurs. So whatever you might think of them—they are predators and eat many little ducks and geese—when you see one, you are with ancient history. Very ancient history. Something to consider.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Celebrate Earth Day. The first one was April 22, 1970. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson is credited with organizing it.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 23, 7:00 P.M. Richfield Historical Society. Richfield Town Hall. Old Farm: A History.
April 25, 1:30 P.M. Books and Company, First Congregational Church of Christ, 815 S. Concord Rd. Oconomowoc. Old Farm A History.
April 27, 6:30 P.M. Lake Geneva Public Library. Old Farm: A History.
May 1, 9:30 A.M. WEAC-Retired, Sheraton Hotel, Madison. Stories From the Land.
May 6, 7:00 P.M. Albertson Memorial Library, Albany, WI. Old Farm: A History.
May 7, 10:30 A.M. Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries Convention. Glacier Canyon Lodge at Wilderness Way, Wisconsin Dells. Old Farm: A history.
May 13, 7:00 P.M. Hartford Public Library, Hartford. Old Farm: A History.
May 16, 10:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. Dregne Gift Shop, Westby. Old Farm: A History
May 19, 7:00 P.M. Book Vault, Oskaloosa, Iowa. Old Farm: A History, In a Pickle and more.
Labels: Snapping Turtle
posted by Jerry Apps | 1:42 PM
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