NC Zoo Keeper Shows How to Move a Snapping Turtle

Have you ever wondered what to do when you see a snapping turtle in the road? They are seen very regularly, especially in the warmer months, but can be intimidating to move. Our staff shows you a couple of ways to safely move a common snapping turtle from the road.
#DYK North Carolina has only one species of snapping turtle, the common snapping turtle? Alligator snapping turtles are not found in North Carolina and get much larger than its smaller cousin, the common snapping turtle.
If you find an injured turtle, please call the Zoo's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 336.879.7644 or visit nczoo.org/nczoowrc

[@thejollyroger9281]

Just drove on to a couple folks who had parked their car in the middle of the road because one of these was just laying about. They looked bewildered at what to do. So I stopped and played good Samaritan. Though I too had no idea what to do. By now, three other cars stopped by to see the beast and no one else knew what to do. So I did what everyone else does when they don't know something. I opened KZbin and found this video. I grabbed the little tike by the back of the shell like she did in the video and dragged her across the road over the curb. She got a few cuts in my hand with his back claws, but fear not. She made it to the end zone. And this all happened 5 minutes ago... thank you for posting!!

[@beeswax142]

Wow

[@albertbrighten5691]

I watched as a EMS truck stopped at where a very large snapper was crossing. One EMS-guy grabbed a sturdy twig and placed it into the open jaws of the turtle. The turtle then clamped down vigorously on the twig and the EMS was able to drag the turtle off the road.

[@KassBoersma]

That could hurt its neck too

[@Marypoppinpercs69420]

​@@KassBoersmadon't give a FUCK it's either that or get bit Break a bone or lose a finger😂

[@Bargeonin]

Turtle: "I didn't sign up for this!".

[@susanbush5276]

This is the most chill snapper I have ever seen.

[@lb4581]

Needed to see this earlier today, but now I’m prepared for next time. Has to leave the snapper where it was, almost lost a finger lol

[@ingridjacobsen5907]

I was a zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo and our Reptile Department showed us a different method. Keeping hands low, grab shell right behind the head with one hand, other hand on shell by tail. The method shown here will only work on a smallish turtle like the one she is using to demonstrate. I had to move a much larger (2x larger) turtle and there is no way I would have been able to use her method. I admit the method I was taught at the Bronx Zoo is daunting in that you are getting so close to the head but they cannot reach directly behind their heads.

[@TheDragorin]

you dont grab common snapping turtles behind the head, they can still get you. alligator snapping turtles you do move that way, their neck isnt as long and flexible.

[@countrylifetales2700]

You teased him about his release a couple times lol. Thanks for the tips. Great job.

[@chardewilliams1953]

I wonder what the turtle is up to these days

[@StrawberryCelebi]

Using this today as there is a giant snapper stubbornly parked in front of my door. EDIT: Fella was particularly pissy, so what we ended up doing was gently nudging him into a plastic storage container with a shovel and then carrying him down to the pond behind our house.

[@anniebananie7887]

Poor turtle is probably thinking "why does she keep making me cross road?" 😝😝

[@erinboyer751]

Did you give the turtle a snack for his participation?

[@CiderStudios]

They definitely did! The NC zoo would never do anything to an animal without some kind of reinforcement involved. Some may say this is cruel, but in reality, it's saving other snapping turtles in the wild (and also our fingers)

[@erinboyer751]

@@CiderStudios awe, they definitely deserve a snack. Thank you for looking out for animals. We all need to look out for animals like we need to look out for one another . I’ll always help animals in need even if it means being late for work

[@christophershipman2843]

The way you are grabbing it is fine with one of the smaller ones but there is a common snapping turtle I was going to try moving yesterday and it was exponentially bigger than that. Like in the 60 to 70 pound range and it appeared to be losing its vision. My wrists didn't want to hold it at an angle where it's head wouldn't reach my legs

[@truthseeker6377]

Why did the turtle cross the road?

[@Uapa500]

My uncle found a snapping turtle by a river near home... In ITALY though! Called the police and they found out someone was keeping it as an exptic pet and then abandoned it when it became too much.

[@keeneyeful]

That's sad!

[@sarahmichaud5513]

Good on you! I just helped a snapper get across the road 😊

[@christybenson]

what happens if you have a frisky snapper that likes to spin around on ya? I managed to get him across the road only to come back and find a lady help him go back across to the opposite side ..lol

[@papabits5721]

Nice snapper

[@mopbrothers]

You look like you are reading off of a script.

[@Yeakerr]

I've been grabbing them by the tails for 70 years never heard a complaint😂

[@teach623]

you must be a rookie