) was found partially buried in the mud in a puddle in the middle of the trail to Piney River. It was about 2 inches long. At first I thought it was a salamander because I could see just its head, I sure got a surprise when I saw that it had a shell! Luckily, this little guy didn't try to bite me!
These turtles were photographed at the turtle enclosure of Bays Mountain in Kingspsort, TN. When I was a child I remember these turtles being sold as pets. Turtles don't make good pets because they can carry the dangerous bacterium Salmonella. Children can become very ill if they handle an infected turtle then put their hands in their mouth.
This big guy was photographed through the glass wall of a tank at Ijams Nature Center. These turtles are formidible creatures with incredibly strong jaws and long, sharp claws. Alligator Snapping Turtles have a worm-like projection it their mouth which they use as a lure to attract fish, when the fish comes up to investigate --- SNAP!!!; instead of getting a meal, they become one! An old legend says that once a Snapping turtle clamps down it won't let go until it hears thunder.
