snapping turtle

We went for a walk early last Sunday morning and came across this snapping turtle which had crawled up the river bank about 20 feet or so to the shoulder of the road to lay its eggs. It was about 15 inches or 40 cm long (bigger than a frisbee but smaller than a pizza in CMS, Consumer Measurement System) . These turtles range from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan - can live to 50 years old - normally they will just amble or swim away from humans but if they're tormented eg while laying eggs they can get nasty and their jaws are strong enough to take off a finger.

Rockwood Conservation Area