Basking Snapping Turtle

I've mentioned that Common Snapping Turtles usually don't bask in the sun the way many turtles do, frequently choosing to warm up by finding a sunny place in shallow water where they stay almost entirely submerged. But there are exceptions. In the spring, perhaps in an effort to more quickly shake off the dormancy of winter, snapping turtles might do a little basking. And here's one that I caught in the act.

Compared to other turtles, the Common Snapping Turtle almost looks too big/bulky for its shell. And they can't retract their heads into their shells like many turtles.

April 22, 2022 at Duke Farms
Photo 197660794, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Although other turtles (none of them snapping turtles) were willing to share a log with the Common Snapping Turtle, they also kept a respectful distance from their larger cousin. I'm not sure how likely it would be for the Common Snapping Turtle to attack the others, though I'm sure turtle-on-turtle violence does occur.

April 22, 2022 at Duke Farms
Photo 197660822, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

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