Concerns Grow Over Alligator Snapping Turtle Discovery in WA

Beach goers at a popular beach in Washington state got quite a shock last week, as a rare alligator snapping turtle was found to be lurking under a dock.

The Bizarre Discovery Was Made at Juanita Beach Park in Kirkland.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kirkland Parks & Community Services (@kirklandparks)

Thank goodness for the fearless, lifeguard, Dani, who managed to safely remove the creature from the water. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the United States. It is NOT native to Washington state.

The alligator snapping turtle stands out due to its prehistoric appearance and massive size.

The Snapping Turtle Is Considered to Be One of the Most Dangerous in the World.

The alligator snapping turtle is given its common name because of its immensely powerful jaws and distinct ridges on its shell that are similar in appearance to the rough, ridged skin of an alligator.

Alligator Snapping Turtles Can Grow to Monstrous Sizes.

Canva

While adult males can grow to be 29 inches in length, and weigh up to 249 pounds, adult females can reach a length of up to 22 inches and weigh up to 62 pounds.

Their shells have three rows of spikes giving them a prehistoric appearance. They have a long tail and muscular legs with webbed toes and long, pointed claws. Pointed, fleshy projections surround their eyes on the sides of their huge heads.

Get our free mobile app

This is why you'll NEVER find me swimming in a lake, river, or ANY body of water, for that matter. You can find me in a pool, hot tub, or a bath tub.

WOW: 19 Exotic-Looking Animals Surprisingly Found in America

While some are native and others arrived by accident, there are animals living quite happily in the U.S. that will make you say, “No way!” From seriously big cats to the pinkest bird you’ve ever seen, here are some of the most exotic creatures calling America home.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

LOOK: 20 of the biggest insects in the world

Stacker compiled a list of 20 of the biggest insects in the world using a variety of news, scientific, and other sources.

Gallery Credit: Andrea Vale

LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

Gallery Credit: Elena Kadvany

Source: Shocker! Rare Alligator Snapping Turtle Found on WA Beach

Filed Under: washington