Alligator Snapping Turtle?

[tippet7]

I found this turtle enjoying a starbucks upstream from the old KOA area on Monday. I looked at the MDC website to try and verify that it is in fact an alligator snapping turtle, but the pictures on the site arent very clear. Anyone??

[tippett7]

Looks just like the one they have at the hatchery. You might send those pictures to them to verify.

[tippet7]

After finding some more photos from MDC, i think this is a common snapping turtle.

[Trevor K]

definately a common snapper. smooth back of the shell is a dead giveaway.

[hoglaw]

Should make you think twice about wading in Chaco's (sandals) though. I was catching bait in clear creek one time when I caught some movement in my peripheral vision below me. I looked down and there was a monster snapper with his neck extended waaaay out about six inches from my feet. He was staring at my little white toes. I jumped back and so did he...we looked eye to eye for a second and he just stood there as I nearly drown trying to get away. Never had a snake scare me that badly.

[Trevor K]

I'll second that. I was on a little personal pontoon catching crappie out of a pond this spring and had a big one swim right as me. I guess he smelled the fish on the stringer or something. It was enough to make me go to a different area of the pond.