North Country explorer from Plainfield, Vermont
Caught this little snapping turtle making her way across route 27 this morning while biking. Here she's pictured recovering from the shock of being picked up and carried the rest of the way across the highway. Snapping turtles are all over the roads this time of year, often looking for banks to nest in. I wouldn't encourage picking one up (for their safety and yours!), but if you must a good approach is to grip the shell on either side of the tail. Above all else, you want avoid lifting them up by the tail - just like those of dogs and cats, their tails are extensions of their spine, making them easily dislocated. Ouch!