HUGE RARE ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE IN FLORIDA SPRINGS!

[@23raid]

You’re a professional crocodilian trainer and handler but damn man you’re an underrated speaker. That’s a big component of what keeps me hooked to your videos.

[@bastiangierahn2313]

Gotta admit, he is pretty good at talking underwater with a snorkel in his mouth

[@PhilGillisDoctor]

What gave it away? When it shows his face swimming with the snorkel and you can clearly see his mouth isn’t moving?

[@pegleg2959]

@@PhilGillisDoctor it was just a wee joke JC. Just a bit of fun, no need to be so obtuse.

[@bastiangierahn2313]

@@PhilGillisDoctor yes indeed, his mouth not moving while talking is a clear sign of him actually talking. You see he is in-fact an uncommonly great puppeteer, and therefor only needs a minimal amount of mouth movement to speak. Thus neither snorkel nor water would be of any him hindrance to him. If he didn’t possess this level of skill, water would’ve gotten in his snorkel, and all we would’ve heard were gurgle noises

[@charlessimmons4347]

😂😂

[@justifiedFaith209]

@@pegleg2959 woosh

[@dreamersfolly]

I take solace in you bringing us along on your journeys. Thank you for sharing!

[@lykos832f5]

@O.G Autistler Is this like a reference to some anime/manga or something?

[@CaveChronicles]

I didn't know these were rare! I saw a few of them around 2009 or so when I lived on the weeki wachee river in Florida. I lived about a mile or 2 downstream from the spring. lots of longnose gar too. and lots of normal looking river turtles. This video reminded me of that house a lot. I used to freedive to find stuff people dropped in the deeper parts of the river(never hospital hole though). There are a lot of snakes in that area, and I got bit by a moccasin but luckily it was a dry bite.

[@caroltenge5147]

been diving 50 years. When I learned back in 1973 in Orlando, My instructor Jim Hollis said "There are no old cave divers"

[@jwsuicides8095]

This might be one of the best videos I've ever seen. I'm crazy about freshwater turtles. I live in the UK so would plan my holidays going to countries where I could find them. I'm mostly stuck in bed these days so "swim" with you as you discover them was the biggest treat. Thank you for all the info as well. :)

[@ehfoiwehfowjedioheoih4829]

Come to the Everglades on holiday:) far more interesting than Disney, friend.

[@coltonsimonds3697]

Don’t believe him there not rare he just doesn’t see them

[@michael-ik5db]

@@ehfoiwehfowjedioheoih4829 Facts. There was actually one time i went to disney and in the river I saw a godzilla sized bullfrog but other than that nothing interesting

[@kimconley4679]

I'm "swimming" along too. If I could, I would be out and about. Unfortunately, I broke my back and now have limited mobility. If you like turtles you should check out Kamp Kenan here on KZbin. He's a Florida guy with turtles from around the world. He's very knowledgeable.

[@stickerz5245]

@@michael-ik5db universal has a lot of snapping turtles in the river under the bridge the connects Jurassic to Hodsmeade!

[@debramorrissey8670]

Cool images, wonderful message and a reminder to look after our waterways. Very pleased you found the alligator snapping turtle. Congrats and thanks for sharing. Great video.

[@marnacox3000]

Tysm for sharing!!! The music was really relaxing making a great video!

[@1fastmex]

You got brass cajones my friend . Excellent footage and you are so calm and relaxed the whole time. Well done!

[@olllloification]

i could feel my breath shorten when you got deep into the spring lol, but its so cool!

[@L3GHO5T]

The tranquility in narration is so awesome! Thanks for sharing defiantly subscribing

[@ElleryOmur]

I love how he says he won't scuba dive in the caves because it's too dangerous, meanwhile he's swimming in muddy river water under sticks and vegetation with alligators nearby. I guess the danger you know is better than the danger you don't know!

[@danielboone7925]

Love the content. Much more relaxing than all the cave diving videos I’ve been watching too much of.

[@kingiking110]

Exciting, original, educational and engaging. Thank you Florida's Wildest for this amazing content.

[@desireeonyx1215]

Incredible footage, well done Chris! Cave diving is an incredibly rewarding experience, and you've certainly got the skill and the passion to master it and be safe while enjoying it. Remember that it's something that you can work up to, start small with other diving certifications and then approach it once you're comfortable! Would love to see that kind of content from you.

[@grantweller1225]

You're are advising a free diver and snorkeler to do the most dangerous sport imaginable which only scuba divers do. Maybe not a good idea to recommend

[@suemoo22]

@@grantweller1225. Yes cave diving is so terribly dangerous, I’ve seen lots of videos on it.

[@marc2638]

Gotta be honest here this dudes been very interesting to watch. I've been binge watching for a week lol

[@Kris-mr7pv]

What an incredible video! Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@MrRaymond1021]

Really nice underwater cave? Thanks for sharing. 👍👍👍

[@LeeDfined]

Amazing... As a Floridian it is so cool to see what lies beneath the surface.

[@TheTRUST8888]

Thanks for explaining the waters mixing. For a moment there I thought you crapped your pants 😆

[@cynthiahaynes2038]

I love this type of videos.. you take me places I'll never get to see! Thank you chris

[@gutomglorg4424]

13:21 Man, this is awesome. It's a beautiful animal. Great job man.

[@JungleJayAdventures]

Cool film! I enjoyed that. I recently just picked up a mask and snorkel to do some of my own underwater films. Love these Springs out here. Thank you for not disclosing your location.

[@nathaniellollis3868]

Hey, Chris, I just watched and subscribed! That river [from your perspective] looks so serene and peaceful and pristine. Love turrtles, too!!! I've always thought them to be some really cute animals. And I'm soooo glad you spoke on the TRASH that people throw in the water. That's pretty disgusting and irresponsible!!!! Can't wait to see what you have coming up in the future.

[@hillarytrump9146]

I'm A recent subscriber also. This channel is awesome...

[@Annie_Annie__]

I have asthma and claustrophobia so the free diving parts were making my chest feel tight and my heart race. At the same time it’s so fascinating! I used to go swimming in springs in central Texas and was always a little bummed but also grateful that I couldn’t go diving in them.

[@divest2099]

that is sad. Was your mom a smoker or parents smoke around you at a young age?

[@321gates]

@@divest2099 What?

[@divest2099]

@@321gates she said she had asthma its sad horrible disease. A lot of times it is from second hand some

[@xzed6394]

Good thing this isn’t all about you then

[@pastelpepe]

@@xzed6394 What’s your issue? You are implying she is making this about herself.

[@jamesleonard3079]

Just floored at how good this video is...super impressive a d educational. Thank you

[@jonblaze2634]

So amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us. I bet chris can hold his breath for like 5min

[@okakaaaaaa]

Man u are lucky af to have such pristine diving spots. Here in India, almost all urban water bodies are polluted and those which are not polluted are either in isolated rural areas, where locals prohibit any outsiders from any water activities or in protected wildlife reserves, where any and all access to water bodies is strictly prohibited to civilians

[@matthewjohns5639]

Beautiful swim. I really enjoyed your video.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Before hubby retired from police work, he moved a snapper off the road by getting it to bite his nightstick. It wasn’t as big as the one you saw, but it was quite large. He’s a big guy and had to use both hands to move it. Eventually it let go of his nightstick, lol,and paddled off into the river. We live in Delaware…

[@jeremyg5425]

Good for him! I'm happy to hear he was willing and able to get it to safety. Alligator snapping turtles aren't found that far north. What your husband encountered was likely a Common Snapping Turtle, which may grow quite large in your area. Common Snapping Turtles frequently cross between bodies of water and are often seen crossing roads. They're also much feistier than Alligator Snapping Turtles and have a much longer neck that they can use to strike much further from the body, making them much more difficult to handle than their larger cousins.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

@@jeremyg5425 I learned something…very cool and thank you! I’m originally from East Tx and the South, so just didn’t think they’d be different up North, lol. Also the Southwest, but didn’t see any of them in Tucson. Lots of things that snapped, but not turtles!

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

@@jeremyg5425 part of the reason he did it it was I once told him some folks where I used to live ran over them on purpose…though the first time I moved a rattler off the road he just about passed out. My Dad taught me how to handle snakes safely…in the Depression he caught rattlers for a scientist in San Antonio working on an anti venom.

[@jeremyg5425]

@@sharonkaczorowski8690 That's wonderful. There seems to be a pattern in many of the rural parts of our country where the oldtimers grew up with a healthy respect for their natural surroundings, followed by a couple generations of people who just seem to be at war with anything that moves. I'm glad your father was able to pass on his respect for nature to you, and that you were in turn able to pass it on to those around you. Keep up the good work!

[@jeremyg5425]

@@sharonkaczorowski8690 Yep. You'll find both snapping turtles throughout Texas. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is restricted to the southeastern states, while the Common Snapping Turtle can be found well up into Canada, everywhere east of the Rocky Mountains. They're like tanks. I've seen them climb fences, burrow under walls, and cross into about every god awful water source imaginable. Alligator Snapping Turtles, on the other hand, seldom venture over land. This giant male may very well have never left the river after hatching. Only occasionally will they wander across land, usually during heavy flooding. Otherwise, females may travel up to 100 yards to lay their eggs before returning to the water.

[@ag6981]

I think I found my new favourite youtube channel! Thanks for the amazing content!!!

[@chrishandsome6542]

Your nuts sir. I would NEVER get in and under all of that. I wouldn't get into any water whatsoever. You got some bravery.

[@jimc6687]

I'm with you about these cool backwater type waterways and all the natural beauty exploration (except that horrendous garbage of course!), Chris.........my wife would freak out but I could maybe handle 75% of this great exploration but also avoid those deeper dives and breath holding escapades........just like your 65 foot free dives with sharks.......give me nightmares!! Literally!! I hear what you say about practicing and technique but those free dives and some of this great video.....give me claustrophobic heebie jeebies beyond compare!! Great Florida river/spring alligator snapping turtle adventure!! Jim C.

[@2muchsaucemusic]

I've been cavern diving in that spring with the log in it and its incredible inside. Definitely recommend learning and getting certified for it.

[@dickward1090]

which cave is this?

[@zaneshapiro6593]

Are you a cavern diver or a cave diver? Cavern divers can't enter full cave systems, they can only go as far as they can still see the exit.

[@2muchsaucemusic]

I'm a cavern diver. I can't remember the exact name but its like the devils nose or something like that. This one goes pretty deep before the light cuts off. It's also huge once you get past the log but the current is also the strongest right there. You also have to be careful coming back out because of said current. If you lose your grip you could decompress way too fast.

[@generalmarkmilleyisbenedic8895]

I assume the bodies of people who die in the caves arent recovered correct?

[@wylancslass]

What an amazing video! This video was captivating. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@ms.crabbypattys]

Love these videos ! That pipe in the river was a party foul tho 😂

[@greensun1334]

Pipe? I thought it was something else... 😂

[@Nicknoktennywahfloyd]

I wish we could get all our rivers and streams this clean. I just subbed. I live in NC and when I was 14yrs old I caught a Bowfin that was almost 14lbs. We call them Grendle or Blackfish here.

[@joyandersen2782]

I loved this video, it was one cool thing after another! (How cute was that little nest-building fish?🥰) Thanks for sharing and as always, educating us along the way!💚

[@stout_tossme7541]

It was cute.

[@raveousone]

think the largest alligator snapping turtle on record was almost 250 lbs and was well over 100 years old

[@katiecarpenter6814]

Love the video! Thanks for sharing. Please people! Do NOT throw your trash in the water. 💕💕

[@rf1_spetsnaz]

this is actually cool, wish to see more of this content

[@patrickharrison4763]

Very cool, love doing this type of snorkeling as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@denisecarpenter2981]

I just subscribed. You popped up for me and I’ve been bing watching all evening. I love your videos. You do great things. Thank you. PS I can’t believe how you were all over that scary water. I was freaked out for the whole video. 😳😳🙈🙈🙈

[@dadstekhniktv]

I really love your adventures sir... I have a common snapping turtle in my house.

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Love these views. Nothing better than snorkeling

[@tanyamiller6275]

How beautiful I be been snorkelling I look down into the deep and think ….arregh can I go down there ? Nah! Your very brave and love the film so beautiful down there

[@jeremywright4196]

As a thalassophobe this is really interesting. To see someone so interested and passionate in something I'm terrified of is strange, not that I don't understand it. Also just watching this makes me a bit uncomfortable at times, especially in the cave or under the trees.

[@dont.ripfuller6587]

Now I know why I can't cast without getting snagged up.

[@joanstrowbridge9939]

Wow, I love this. Thank you for sharing!!

[@susanmartin3762]

That was funny finding a pipe. I don't know how they got that thing lit down there.? I've never had any luck with that😎. Must be those new water proof lighters I've heard about😉

[@evertonmiranda2004]

Extraordinary, congratulations. What an species. Snorkeling on that kind of rivers sounds a true freshwater safari.

[@Matspyropowerhouse]

When you said you know how to handle alligators I just started laughing and was like nobody can handle an alligator if it’s your time it’s your time bud😂😂🤣

[@shell2835]

Really interesting! 💗 thanks for taking us along 👍

[@steeldriver1776]

I would probably think of a joke under the water and then drown... "Hey fish, how 'bout a hand?"

[@stalker8433]

When you showed your face after the thick darkness that give me a heart attack😂

[@andhenevercameback7117]

you know your in FL when your diving for turtles and you find a little bowl! love my state

[@Andygeofri]

Good day of diving. I found a tagged AST 6 miles (as the crow flies) upstream of where you filmed this. Was lucky enough to find it out in good lighting, so got some footage.

[@susanmartin3762]

I love to scuba dive but I could never make myself enjoy places like the ones you are in this video🥴have in Florida. I'm in the Northwest we've got the nice cold clear Puget Sound and all kinds of rivers and nice lakes. I've never dove in water like this!! with all that creepy moss and already with a slimey squishy bottom. I don't know why..🐊🐢 everything just 🐍🦖looking creepy I've never been had any desire to dive in a river like. So that's why I like watching videos that you guys put out. I can see all the cool stuff and I don't have to let my feet get stuck in the muck. 💋Thank you for what you do

[@adder70-1]

The bottom of the spring runs aren't squishy. It's pretty similar to beach sand unless you get into the grassy areas. Even in the river most of the bottom is fairly sandy, again unless you're in the grassy spots. (I grew up close to that spring area and did certification (open water and intro to cave) dives there.

[@anitajinfla9762]

I recently saved a big snapping turtle out back of my townhome. Kept hearing crows squawking. After 10 minutes of them, I opened my back door and see a murder of crows surrounding this big turtle who wandered over 200 ft. from the pond at the condos next door. About 6 more were across the way on the rooftop squawking. Well the ones flew off and Im like this poor guy or gal was way far from the pond. So I picked it up and carried it down and into a wet area by the ditch. The crows were not happy with me at all. But Slow--Poke 🐢 was happy. 😊 No worries... People put out food for the crows over in the small field and I've put stuff out....no breads! Fruits..veggies....and pedigree dog food. 😊

[@hillarytrump9146]

Dog food is really unhealthy loaded with dodgy stuff. Non-organic food is bad too. Best leaving them be unless you can afford organic!

[@DPAllNightLong]

@@hillarytrump9146 yah fk him for not checking to see if it was gluten an gmo free

[@antons7210]

I would never have the balls to do this myself, so it's cool to at least see some of it

[@john-brady]

Totally amazing, thanks for taking us along with you, what an amazing experience!

[@vector8310]

Floridian here. Thanks for a wonderful perspective of the river. I'd be crazy not to subscribe to your videos.

[@user-sf3hj5vj3g]

Obviously he is from Florida, that explains everything

[@miguelruben6092]

Better than sum shxty borin states yk

[@mikef.530]

Thanks for sharing your subjective opinion. But as far as the accuracy of your statement; I'd estimate its.99% correct in my opinion. Do you have a prejudice against people from Florida? Based off of your comment I'd say it's a 99.99% chance that you're bigoted towards Floridians. Which is you're right, but you're still a db in my personal opinion.

[@nolebucnaround8350]

That’s just one of the reasons he’s awesome enough that you watched his video.

[@grumpycat1178]

Oh, after reading the title were you expecting them to find alligator snapping turtles in Minnesota or something? 🤦‍♂️

[@hizkiayapen3322]

i feel weird watching this video. The way you explain the whole videos is soooo relaxing however what you did in the video is intense. It feels like im holding my breath from the intensity but at the same time feeling relax lol. Nonetheless, a very unique experience watching your video dude ! Nice job !

[@vondeckbar72]

Awesome find! Thank you for sharing

[@PanzikArtistry]

I was fortunate to come across an alligator snapper that had to be 250 lbs or more. His shell was ancient looking. This was in central FL at college I was attending, a boardwalk over the swamp. I've heard that a bullet from the silver war has been found embedded in a shell of one. ~Panzik Artistry

[@yavin99]

I actually found a baby alligator snapping turtle in my parents yard when I was cutting their grass and what was shocking was they lived about a mile away from the closest creek but I took the turtle to a pretty big pond and let it go.

[@davidvilla9458]

Great video. Really enjoyed it. Keep em coming

[@lindsayhuff8813]

I had an alligator snapping turtle. His name was Gamera. He was vicious and he grew so quickly I had to let him go. When I first found him he was the size of a quarter.

[@charliekill88]

10:23 you took the turtles boof 😩

[@JamesAChambers]

I honestly can't believe you're doing that just holding your breath. It seems like you're down there for minutes at a time but maybe it's hard to tell that you're getting close enough to the surface to rebreathe through the little tube. Some of those deep dark underwater cave dives though you had to have been under there for several minutes and couldn't have been rebreathing. Very interesting, thanks!

[@rottweilerfun9520]

I love AST's ! They're so primitive. Mine hangs out in his caves all day and comes out to hunt at night.

[@AimForTheBushes908]

This guy is practically risking his life just to share this footage with us. Thank you.

[@worxyboi4838]

only guy to think seeing an alligator in water with you 'lucky'

[@axel.Garrison1]

why is you voice so calming 😂

[@dylansanterre9137]

I'd need a wetsuit made of alligator proof material... You are wild for getting in those waters. Amazing footage

[@virginiamoss7045]

I always wished I could swim under water and not have to breath. When I was young I tried a scuba tank breathing device and it caused an immediate phobia about my breathing so I never pursued it. I can hold my breath all of 10 seconds now so watching this guy stay down so long is worrisome.

[@PaulMuadib11811]

Thanks for cool video. When I was little I snorkeled deep in some mangroves. It was ehh..... shady. But I saw some massive fish.

[@susie6592]

Wow I love turtles and this was amazing. Thank you for sharing!

[@lackiesuzy]

Thanks for sharing, what an awesome video! 👍👍

[@susanmartin3762]

I used to live on a lake and we had those cute little Sunfish out here in Washington state. They make perfectly circular nests that they made were spot-on measurement wise.. And then the little guy just gets in the middle of it and waits for his fair Maiden to swim by so he can show her how nice his place looks. They're so cute.. but they are tough... don't be messing with their pad.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Bluegills?

[@maydaverave]

I saw a large alligator snapping turtle in that area. the creek coming out of naked springs off of Suwannee river to be specific. Fifty pound turtle at least in 3 feet of crystal clear spring water. Amazing looking animal for sure. Be careful in that creek as there is a large alligator nesting area at the mouth of it.

[@maydaverave]

my bad it was off sante fe river

[@btbb3726]

New subscriber. Great visuals, great content/info, and great narration!

[@dorianalexander2730]

That's so sad the alligator snapping turtles are disappearing. They used to be so common in Bonita and Estero! I loved growing up down there and we had to have assemblies on how to avoid posionious snakes and stingrays, alligators and were simply told don't swim in ponds as the alligator snappers can bite and it will hurt. ._. I do so miss the Florida from 90s and early 00s. Now everytime I go back home to the motherland it is so urbanized its ridiculous ;_;

[@hamlinhobbyist7507]

That looks like an incredible hobby ! Thanks for sharing

[@jinxgirl5]

7:27 I've seen that sign in a lot of videos. There are so many horror stories of cave diving, I cognitive never do it. I'll just admire everything I can see from the entrance.

[@CosmicHabitat]

grew up camping here a few times a year great video

[@jaysartori9032]

She is so Gorgeous !!

[@timvanvoorhis5732]

When I lived in Florida I swam with a few big boys , I wish I had cameras like you have back then

[@andrewut7ya511]

Great work. This is a great video because it seems to be made genuinely to share what you do and not just an attempt to get views. It blows my mind that people swim in rivers where gators and crocs live but im grateful for you sharing something that i love but would never want to do myself.

[@kathybrensinger6766]

Rather you than me that's why I love your videos! Please be careful. That makes me so mad that ignorant people would desecrate such a beautiful place with darn trash! Are they ever going to learn?!

[@greensun1334]

Sadly, it seems like they never going to learn. Just look at the ocean - plastic in the foodchain, abandoned nets, etc...

[@cheepymcpeepy]

I love this so so much, I honestly have never seen anyone do anything like this before in streams and the small waterways for the lil fellas 🐢🐟😫 (yes, I'm new here 😂)

[@tylergarrin9026]

this area definitely looks like a paradise for all aquatic life!

[@shawnstatzer95]

Great find. The exploration is what breaths passion alive.

[@aaronm2183]

Its cool to see the underwater life there thriving. We got those alligator snapping turtles in my area. I've see many, in many different sizes from as small as a US half dollar to a small car tire. Modem day dinosaurs.

[@yoyoyo9669]

nice turtles and a big snappuh at the end glad you didnt get bit by a gator or turtle please do more like this! thanks! stay safe! also watch out that you dont get caught underwater in the cave systems very dangerous make sure you dont get a leg or hand caught under a rock careful about what you choose to grab onto wouldnt want anything bad to happen to you friendo. please please please be safe! anyways great channel!

[@stefan514]

How on earth do people get in those types of bodies of water voluntarily? Especially in Florida!? :D

[@WillPreston3D]

meeting an alligator while snorkelling does count as "getting lucky" for me

[@jessicamermaid2438]

It's believed these prehistoric creatures have a lifespan up to about 100 years. One of the coolest features is their tongue; it has a little piece that dangles and acts as a lure of fish into their open mouth. Very cool creatures indeed!

[@321gates]

At least. They found a specimen in Louisiana in the 90's, I believe, that had Civil War musket balls embedded into its shell.

[@richardhincemon9423]

@@321gates were they able to determine if the AST was shot by a Confederate or a Union soldier?🐢😂

[@bonez9507]

When i Lived in Mississippi Alligator snapping turtles where extremely common to get on tree wires (We'd catch a brim & put it on a high tolerance wire tied to a thicc tree branch come back the next day). We'd set about 6 lines out hoping for 50 pound catfish (also common, we'd have huge catfish fries). Unfortunately we'd get around 2 huge ancient alligator snapping turtles every time. If anyone's interested the road to get to little local the river is called, River Road Drive, Gulfport, MS.

[@sushichef40]

Awesome footage dude!

[@jennh2096]

So cool to see all this, thank you for sharing