Welcome to Fast Facts with Reasons for Hope! I’m Carl Kerby.
As promised last time, we’re taking a closer look at the snapping turtle – just don’t get too close!
With 1000 pounds of force, its bite can snap bones or break a broomstick!
A large, sharp upper hook on its mouth is perfectly designed for quick shearing as it devours everything from plants to frogs, snails, fish, crayfish, raccoons, and even other turtles. This guy is not picky at all!
It’s also so well adapted that, even in brackish or polluted water, it easily moves along the muddy bottom and lunges forward to ambush its prey.
The alligator snapping turtle is larger than the common snapper and it will lay with its mouth wide open, enticing the curious by simply wiggling its pink, worm-like tongue lure until the onlooker gets close enough to snap on.
Join us again next time as we discover more about the snapping turtle! Until then, stay bold!
Karl Kerby is the founder of Reasons for Hope and co-creator of the DeBunked apologetic video series. His radio feature, Fast Facts, is heard weekly on VCY America, Saturdays at 9:25 AM Central.
