I have a turtle in my yard...a BIG turtle.

I'm not sure if it's a snapping turtle or not but it's big. I don't want to let the dogs out because they will certainly find out if it snaps or not. I'm not near any water here so I'm wondering what it's doing wandering around in my front yard. Any ideas about how to handle this would be appreciated!

A snapping turtle will hiss if you get within ten feet of it. They are mean! You can also check with a very long stick; a snapper will aggressively bite it, and its strike is fast.

You are probably right not to let dogs near it.

Do you have an enclosed area outside where he
can stay until you located the family? This would
be somewhere away from the dogs.

I'm thinking call Animal Control- but I'm questioning
how they would handle it.

This poor guy is lost.

;(

And is the shell flat or dome shaped...might be a tortoise.

Just check it out with a broom handle and see if it's agressive or not. It may just withdraw

into the shell and allow itself to be picked up and stashed in a big box or something

unti you can find the owner. They don't travel all that fast so it couldn't be too far from home.

But be careful.

it's most likely a tortoise...vegetarian and shy.

It seems the right time of year that female snapping turtles venture away from water looking for a
suitable place to lay eggs. This can put them in some truly odd places or they can be found some distance from water. Snappers won't stray from the water unless there is a good reason.
For years my father told me that if you spot a snapping turtle away from water around the start of summer, chances are they're looking for a nest site.

Who knows, maybe your backyard IS the suitable site! Other than that he/she/it is just passing through.

I had it in sight, took a phone call and when I looked again it was gone. I've looked all around the yard and no sign of it. I think it may have gone back into the woods. So far I've seen two moose, several deer, a red fox, a dozen wild turkeys and one porcupine around here. I never thought I'd be adding a turtle to the list! Thanks for the advice. If it returns, I'll know what to do.

:D
The Native American Indians believe them to be a symbol of Mother Earth. Turtles remind us that the way to heaven is through the earth. In Mother Earth is all that we need. She will care for us, protect us and nurture us, as long as we do the same for her. For that to happen, we must sloooow down and heighten our sensibilities. We must see the connection in all things. Just as the turtle cannot separate itself from its shell, neither can we separate ourselves from what we do to the Earth.

If turtle has shown up in your life, it is time to get connected with your most primal essence. Go within your shell and come out when your ideas are ready to be expressed. It is time to recognize that there is an abundance out there for you. It doesn't have to be gotten quickly and immediately. Take your time and let the natural flow work for you. Too much, too soon can upset the balance. Turtle reminds us that all we need for all that we do is available to us, if we approach it in the right manner and time.

:hug: