Biology

[opabinia]

I just escorted a large, grouchy snapping turtle across the street in front of my workplace. I choose to call that mutualism: amusement and personal satisfaction in exchange for protection. One alternative is sinister: the turtle selecting against me, by trying to get me run over before I reproduce.

Comments

[pat-man-ta.livejournal.com]

BY 'ESCORTED' you must mean 'carried as far out and away from my junk as possible'

[lepidosiren.livejournal.com]

I mean "walked behind, occasionally goading with a long stick."

[julishka.livejournal.com]

this is a serious question, not a snarky one, but why not just pick it up and place it on the other side of the road? are their necks that long that they could bite?

[lepidosiren.livejournal.com]

Snappers have long necks, a dangerous bite, and an ornery disposition. I think the only safe-for-the-human way to move them is to pick them up by the tail, and I don't know if that is harmful for the turtle. Also, poking it with a stick was fun.

[julishka.livejournal.com]

noted. *giggle*

ma be littole pinsch?

[lepidosiren.livejournal.com]

That crab's voice is brilliant.

[alonewiththemoon]

People on a birding list I'm on have mentioned picking them up with one hand on either side of the shell near the hind legs to get them across streets, but then they might be the sort of persons who would consider it an honor should the turtle mark them, I don't know... Turtles are wandering around a lot right now looking either for a place to lay eggs or a hot female turtle whose eggs need fertilizing.

[tiny-chicken.livejournal.com]

I've transported a HUGE snapping turtle from the middle of an off-ramp on 495 using this exact method. He was a big old turtle, must have weighed 40 pounds. I couldn't figure out how I could otherwise get him to move (with traffic lining up behind me). He didn't mark me!!

[lepidosiren.livejournal.com]

Damn. You must've grabbed exactly the right part of the shell. Or maybe the turtle was so shocked at your insolent heedlessness, it froze.

Some turtles can reach around and scratch almost anywhere along the shell's edge. I don't know if this is true of snappers. I use sticks.

[tiny-chicken.livejournal.com]

I had him between the front and rear legs, as I recall -- and he pulled his neck and most of his head into his shell as soon as I approached, so I felt safe. Sticks are probably the safest option, though... glad to hear there are still good Samaritans left out there -- the turtle and I both thank you!!

[iterum.livejournal.com]

You could start a turtle escort service!

[xenoglaux]

kinky!

[bunnymonster.livejournal.com]

*giggle*
this made me smile :)
you Good Samaritan you...
xo

[xenoglaux]

you big sissy, you should have just picked it up.
It's not like it was anything really dangerous like a swan or something.

[lepidosiren.livejournal.com]

LOL

[bottleimp.livejournal.com]

I am so going to kick both your motherfucking asses. That swan was a killer, I'm telling you. I could see it in his beady little eyes.

You Rule

[sanguineempathy.livejournal.com]

Good deed for the day :)

[jasonlizard.livejournal.com]

Cris and I came upon a large (1.5-2' diameter shell) snapping turtle last year on a ride. I tried to drag it out of the street to the safety of the woods. Then I thought better of losing a hand a trying to ride home with just one hand and left him to his fate. He was a big mo' fo' and the street wasn't very busy. Am I a wimp for not doing it?

[lepidosiren.livejournal.com]

If that fucker had a two-foot shell, that makes you smart, not wimpy.