*sigh* Just got a call from my youngest daughter that I had to come RIGHT AWAY to help save a snapping turtle. It was in the middle of the road about a block from our house. A road that sees maybe 25 cars throughout the day. So, I walked over and did my usual “let’s have turtle soup for supper”. Actually, I did my usual “let’s step back and wait a bit to see if it will move on its own”. Which, of course it did.

I have failed in my nature lessons which generally boil down to “leave it the hell alone”. Bunch of baby bunnies that look abandoned? Probably not - let’s keep the dogs away and check on them once in a while. Fawn curled up in the tall grass and flowers? It’s fine. Baby robin bouncing on the ground trying to fly? Give it time. It’ll figure it out. Turtle crossing the road? Pick it up and it will piss on you and, if it’s a snapper, will try to bite you because it has no idea you’re trying to help.

And, if you ever actually need to move a snapper, do not grab it by its tail or on the side of its shell.

Here’s how to move a snapper (and pity the poor snapper who had to endure this): How to help a Snapping Turtle Cross the Road