Common Snapping Turtle

World of Reptiles: Common Snapping Turtle. July 13, 2019. In the pond near WoR but possibly a wild animal.

I have always been unsure if he this a wild animal. But there has been one in here for at least a decade.

@nczoofan Really? This is the first time I've seen him if so. To my knowledge the zoo only lists Alligator Snapping Turtle as being in their collection.

~Thylo

The turtle pond sign says Common Snapping Turtles are in the pond.

@RatioTile Yes but those signs are very old, they list many species in the pond which the zoo does not keep.

~Thylo

To be more specific actually, I think that sign just lists New York native turtles.

~Thylo

@ThylacineAlive I just looked through my old pictures and I have one of a similar sized snapping turtle in July 2016. I remember seeing him several times before that though. If I remember correctly the pond is fenced in completely? Its been a while since I have been to the zoo though

@nczoofan There's a fence, but I'm not sure if it's fully secured as it'll be quite old now. It's entirely possible that this is a wild animal that found its way into the pond somehow and is now a permanent resident in it. I'm surprised this is the first time I'm seeing it, though, if it's been here for over four years!

~Thylo