Our farm pond has an ancient inhabitant

[Happy Gilmore]

Biggest snapper I've seen in the pond yet. It was roughly 18" from front to back of shell. Any guesses as to age?

 

[RichZ]

Wow, that's huge!!! Could be 70 years old or more according to this link...

How to Tell How Old a Snapping Turtle Is | eHow

 

[Baby Grand]

Watch your fingers!
That is one huge snapper.

 

[grnspot110]

Time to break out the 12 gauge! ~~ Lowell

 

[motownbrowne]

Time to break out the 12 gauge! ~~ Lowell

Time to live and let live... The thing could be 70 years old. Kinda disrespectful to kill it with a shotgun "just cause".

 

[breadtrk]

That would be some pretty bad meat anyway. Is this a swimming, fishing or livestock pond? I guess it don't really matter, if this is the first time you have seen him, he knows how to stay out of trouble.

 

[AaronS]

Mmmmm, turtle meat!

 

[buickanddeere]

Apparently in the southern US they have an alligator turtle that makes the north eastern snapper seem like a child's pet by comparison .

 

[grnspot110]

Time to live and let live... The thing could be 70 years old. Kinda disrespectful to kill it with a shotgun "just cause".

I don't like snapping turtles in my ponds, Painted turtles are fine, but not snappers, especially the big ones! ~~ Lowell

 

[Gary Fowler]

IF you raise fish in your pond, a big snapper can clean it out pretty quick. I prefer not to kill predators but if I cant relocate them or discourage them from fishing my pond, my rifle usually takes care of the problem.

There are plenty of other ponds around me, 5 within 1/4 mile, that the predator species can go live life as they choose. Just don't come eating my high dollar fish that I have to stock.