This is a common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). They are the state reptile of New York, and this one was chomping through reeds. It was about the size of a large pizza.

#commonsnappingturtle #ChelydraSerpentina #turtle #statereptile #nys #jamaicabay #wildliferefuge #nps #nature #wildlife #canonphotography #luminarneo

One injured turtle in last night. Waiting in the car now for a volunteer transporter to bring me another one. It is 85F/29C in northeastern New York where it is normally 50F in April. There was still snow on the ground this morning. This is ridiculous. Turtle season shouldn't start until mid-May, but I can't blame them for wanting to get out in the sun. Watch out for turtles, friends. They are on the roads.

#WildlifeRehab #CommonSnappingTurtle

She looks silly grabbing that food, but I was doing a happy dance. This #CommonSnappingTurtle ate on her own yesterday for the first time in 20 months. She'd been hit by a car during nesting season 2021 and had severe head trauma and a broken beak. Turtles heal slowly from head injuries and all I can do is provide supportive care, wait, and hope they come around. Some don't, so I celebrate milestones like this, no matter how silly.

#WildlifeRehab #turtle #Adironacks

It's not often I see a #CommonSnappingTurtle crossing a busy country road but this one did. From one pond to another it moved very slowly and the trucks and cars took great care to go around it as I had nothing for it to latch onto to pull across.They are like living dinosaurs with the triangular crests along their tail.
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#turtle #SnappingTurtle #reptile #wildlife #ArtMatters #WildlifePhotography #nature #naturephotography #mastoart