Feb 6, 2010

Charming Diminutiveness

Oh, little baby alligator snapping turtle. So charming in your diminutiveness , so endearing in your tinyhood. You'll grow to be massive. You'll wriggle you lure tongue and snap up fish. You'll be the dread of some pond or stream. In time, you'll even be able to snap off those fingers that are holding you. So much to look forward to.

Photo credit: Stephanie Velzy

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Unlike the common snapping turtle, the alligator snapping turtle is generally non-aggresive and has roughly the same bite pressure as a human being. Which isn't to say they can't injure you if you start bothering them, but they're not the terrors they're often portrayed to be.

Sabina E. said...

thats interesting, stormydragon.

it's really cute and so tiny, i would love to hold one in my hands.

the ginabean said...

it's so cute!

Anonymous said...

he looks squishy

Nature Girl, April said...

Keep up the encouraging talk to this cute little creature. That way, his self-esteem won't suffer!

Anonymous said...

Oh he's such a cute little guy!

Anonymous said...

The person holding this cute little mite must have been wearing a gas mask, since their primary defense as wee tots is to produce this amazingly noxious smell. I've tossed many a baby snapper out of my pool, and each time thought I was going to vomit.

And, stormydragon, while they may indeed not be as aggressive as the average snapper (whatever that means), the alligator snapping turtle can and will take your finger off if you're silly enough to stick it in his face. Or snap through a 3" stick. And they get absolutely huge. I saw one on the side of the road once that was easily the size of a manhole cover.

Thanks, I'll leave 'em alone.

Jelo said...

Hee-hee-hee! Lookit the little feller, He's tiny but full of spunk...like...like...like Scrappy-Doo!!!

*Lemme at 'em! Lemme at 'em!*

ChicChickory said...

I found one of these little guys during one nature walk. They are just too adorable, but even when that small, he was trying to show me his potential nasty attitude while holding him. lol :)

Anonymous said...

I think this is actually a common snapping turtle not an alligator...