Snapping Turtle, Free

[catbirdseat]

A neighbor found this big turtle wandering the neighborhood and my wife took it thinking maybe it was a pond turtle. I took one look at it and knew what it was. Snapping turtles are non-native, so we can't just turn it loose somewhere.

 

If no one wants it, we'll have to kill it. Before you ask, the zoo definitely doesn't want it. If you live on the East Coast or somewhere where they are native, I could ship it to you and you could release it.

[G-spotter]

A neighbor found this big turtle wandering the neighborhood ...If no one wants it, we'll have to kill it.

 

Just pretend she didn't find it dumbass!

or wait, make soup

[roboboy]

let it go in Green lake or Lake Washington. Probably most of the species there are non-native anyway. The only way it could make a difference is if it finds more like itself, then...there you go.

[Weekend_Climberz]

Have you tried any local pet shops?

[catbirdseat]

I think it started out as a pet when it was small and cute. When it got large they decided they didn't want it anymore. It's big enough now to take a finger off if you aren't careful.

[Weekend_Climberz]

I used to kill those things with my BB gun when I lived in the south. One bit my dog one time and we had to chop it's head off to get it loose. Scary little suckers. They're considered pests down there.

[Weekend_Climberz]

Talk to these guys. They might have someone local who'll take it:

 

http://www.chelydra.org/snapping_turtle_yahoo_club.html

[roboboy]

you're welcome to let it go in my yard, also. There's water and no kids for it to bother. But it would probably end up in Lake Washington anyway.

[fenderfour]

What about the Reptile Zoo in Gold Bar? They migth take it in.

[DirtyHarry]

Put it in the freezer.

[lancegranite]

I reccomend a hearty stew. CLICK HERE

The taste is somewhere between alligator gar and blue heron.

Of course, heron can have that unappealing kingfisher-esque taste if not prepared correctly.

 

The shell makes for a great holiday salad bowl, or a delightful addition to your primative warrior mens group costume.

[powderhound]

I might take it, whats your location?

[catbirdseat]

Shoreline

[catbirdseat]

Talk to these guys. They might have someone local who'll take it:

 

http://www.chelydra.org/snapping_turtle_yahoo_club.html

OMG, there are actually people who will pay for them!

[powderhound]

is that in WA?

[Weekend_Climberz]

See if they'll trade for a #5 C4 cam

[billcoe]

I might take it, whats your location?

\

 

Make sure you get a recipe with it hound, if not cooked correctly them damn tings is tough.

[TREETOAD]

Good soup and eye glass frames!!!!

[Jim]

The Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society has a rescue and adoption progam:

 

http://www.pnwhs.org/index.php?page=home

 

How big is this sucker? I'm going back east next week and could bring it back to where it belongs, maybe. I may also be able to convince some science teachers to make it the class pet. I spent many a summer afternoon probing the mud for these guys, pulling them out by their tail, and selling them to the black guys who were fishing.

[glm]

Two suggestions:

 

First, definitely try the reptile zoo out in Sultan/Gold Bar/near there, or that other rescue place.

 

Second, I saw a lost turtle flyer on a phone pole the other day (but this was in Bellevue, I think) - it might be someone's pet and you could post a flyer or 2 in the neighborhood where it was found and the owner might come forward - worth a try and not much effort.