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the jaws (larger snappers can amputate a finger with a bite) and t
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As for holding the turtle by the tail, imagine being picked up by one leg,
your leg is plenty strong, but any twisting or wrong moves by you or the
carrier comes with potential for injuring joints, muscles or even fracturing
bones. I would have to guess that turtles are probably a lot more durable
then the average human, but they would likely, at the very least, be
uncomfortable being carried by the tail.
That's just an opinion; hope it helps, Noel Taussig
-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]
On Behalf Of Christopher Majka
Sent: June 24, 2009 1:06 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Comments on how to move a snapping turtle
Hi all,
I just did a bit of looking around and there's lots "lore" in circulation
about moving snapping turtles. How much of this is based in fact, is
unclear. The best advice appears to be to avoid handling snapping turtles at
all, instead using an implement like a shovel, paddle, or even a broom to
help propel a turtle in the direction they are going and out of harm's way.
Bev Wigney's shovel technique sounds like an optimal approach.
If you have to handle a snapping turtle at all, it may be best to avoid
lifting the animal entirely by simply lifting the the hind quarters by the
base of the tail, and supporting the turtle with the other hand under the
plastron, and thus "pushing" the turtle out of the way in the direction that
they are going. This avoids lifting the entire weight of the turtle off the
ground.
Its important to stay well away from the jaws (larger snappers can amputate
a finger with a bite) and they have a really long neck and can move it with
great speed!
In the face of conflicting "lore" I defer to experts such as John, who has
spent a lifetime studying and working with reptiles and amphibians.
Cheers,
Chris
On 24-Jun-09, at 12:30 PM, Randy Lauff wrote:
Ok, so I'm wearing my anatomists hat (and lab coat) for this one:
I would be interested in the source of that information, Peter. I cannot
believe that a tail could be so fragile...there's a lot of tough skin and
muscle holding that tail to the body, in addition to the vertebral column.
For those of you who have seen many of these turtles, how many have had
missing, or partially missing tails? Predation attempts, especially on
younger turtles, would result in missing/partial tails if the tail was so
fragile. Anyone know if tails grow back in turtles...I don't think so off
hand.
Having said that, I have had little hands-on experience with turtles, but I
trust Nature to have built critters to withstand that kind of force.
Randy
2009/6/24 Peter & Lorraine Hope <peterhope@ns.sympatico.ca>
I would beg to differ. I have read that for larger turtles this can
dislocate the spine by picking all the turtle's weight up on the tail. I
think it is an old method and I would never do it for a big turtle.
To get them off a highway I approach from the rear and scoot them along with
a sweeping movement of my foot against the back of the shell by the tail. I
do so in a series of short moves so I don't flip and don't hurt the turtle.
If it is crossing the road push it in the direction it wants to go. They may
grip the road but a little push has never damaged toe nails or injured the
turtle.
These re the pek days for turtle nesting.
Pete Hope
----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher Majka <mailto:c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:48 AM
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] snapping turtle pics
Hi folks,
I checked with John Gilhen on this who informed me that carrying a snapping
turtle by the base of the tail where it meets the plastron; a) does not
cause injury to the turtle; and b) is the safest way of moving one (if you
must absolutely do this). You must grasp it at the base of the tail, and not
halfway along it, and when carrying it the plastron (i.e., the belly of the
turtle) should face your leg, and not the carapace (i.e., the back of the
turtle). Trying to grab a snapping turtle by the carapace behind the head
could be a very dangerous procedure, given the long, extremely flexible, and
agile neck of a snapping turtle.
In general, you should only move a snapping turtle if there is really no
other option (i.e., getting it out of the middle of a road). As John said,
"Trust me, you do not want to get a bite from a snapper." A snapping turtle
can be a really dangerous beast.
Cheers,
Chris
Christopher Majka - Atlantic Canada Coleoptera
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Environment/NHR/atlantic_coleoptera.html
c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca
--
Randy
_________________________________
RF Lauff
Way in the boonies of
Antigonish County, NS.
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As for holding the turtle by the tail, imagine
being picked up by one leg, your leg is plenty strong, but any twisting or
wrong moves by you or the carrier comes with potential for injuring joints,
muscles or even fracturing bones. I would have to guess that turtles are
probably a lot more durable then the average human, but they would likely, at
the very least, be uncomfortable being carried by the tail. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span