June 23rd

Saturday, June 23rd, 2018

If you are slightly terrified looking at this image, don’t worry. I was too.

When Paul and I pulled up at the cabin this morning, this lady was in the middle of the road. We parked, got out, and walked up to her thinking she was a snapper, and when we got closer realized that was definitely not what she was.

In fact, I had never seen a turtle like her before. Ever.

Huge webbed feet, a large, low, flat soft shell – she was easily over a foot across. Most off-putting, however, was her snout. It looked like a pig’s: long and tapered with two nostrils at the end. And to top it off, creepy alligator-esque eyes.

I had no idea what kind of turtle she was. But let me tell you, she was fast.

I took these photos, walked around to the other side of the cabin, came back, and she was gone.

So naturally, I got curious.

I  Googled “Minnesota turtle species,” and a handful came up. You typical Painted Turtle, Snapping Turtle, and others, but then there she was: A Spiny Softshell Turtle.

 

Fun fact: They don’t start breeding until they are between 8-10 years of age, and can live to be over 50!