Alligator Snapping Turtle (Slippery Pete)

That is really cool. I have handled many snappers but never one like that

Amazing! But wouldn't that hurt a turtle?

wow! such an amazing creature! great pic ;)

Your not killing it right?

That is a big ol' turtle!

AMAZING!! Beautiful!!

Awesome

Cool

I agree with Shebebusynow.

At the previous commenter, there is the odd exception which proves the rule, and this is one of them. This is one of the most popular series of photos on Project Noah (124 favorited it!) and has produced quite an interesting and enduring conversation about the species. Please do NOT cut it. While I (and everyone else) tries hard to keep people out of the pictures, occasionally a monster like this HAS to be held to get the shot, and the perspective makes it that much more impressive. It's also been very interesting to better understand how a biologist goes about studying such a reclusive creature.

Very impressive, MitchRay!! Up here we have large female Snapping Turtles that leave the water to lay their eggs. One female in particular looked to be the size of a tractor tire. I can't image any one person being able to pick up let alone safely hold on to one of them. Do the female's in this species leave the swamp to lay their eggs on land as well? And if so, do they incubate their eggs similar to Alligators in a decomposing compost pile or in sand or sandy soil like our Snapping Turtles up here? How many eggs do they lay and how long to they take to hatch? Sorry. I guess I should just check your links and I'll probably find everything I need there. Bravo you for doing what you can to help bring positive attention and much needed information to the masses!! :-)

Wow cool and also that alligator snapping turtle is GAINT

Epic photo. I have always wanted to see one of these in person. I wonder how old it must be to have grown so large???

AWESOME!

wonderful photo. gigantic creature.

I guess, if you're not going to do a lot of active swimming around hunting, you eat whatever Mother (Nature) serves. Makes sense. Begs the next question: Just how many calories does it take to power one of these guys? Most reptiles I know of don't eat a whole lot of bulk, not needing to heat anything.

Great information and wonderful photo.

Is Pete, and the other alligator snapping turtles, picky about what he eats, or will he snap at any living thing that floats into his mouth? Or can you tell?

He's the biggest turtle i've ever seen!!

Again very good job Mitch :-) really cool looking animal !

like a boss!

I was deliberate on the acronym because you would readily recognize it if you were a member. But it is the Field Herp Forum and you can find other people with similar interests. I just thought I recognized your name from somewhere additional.

Are you on FHF?

Awesome spotting and a happy story! Thanks so much for posting about one of the most amazing creatures most people never get to see!

omg!! so huge!

AMAZING!!!

Dude great photo !! :D do you know the exact weight of the snapper

He must have been really heavy!!!

That's is an amazing find

PETA .... is that you? Alo ! :-)

Wow amazing.....

Wowww!!!

thanks Mitch, that made my day to hear it was released with a transmitter. What a wonderful spot! and incredible photos.

How did you catch it?

Wonderful photos, but I sure hope you didn't kill it! They are disappearing fast, and from the size of this one, it has to be an elder for sure. They are illegal to kill in Florida for this reason.

I'd be staying away from the business end of that critter! What a beast! Great series!

Wow.

Magnificent creature .... and so are the carers!!! :)

And I thought the snapping turtle in my old backyard was big. WOW!

Bravo..

its chutk norris pet!!