Leonard Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 The other night I was out below powersite ... fishing was slow.. But I hooked into a small mouth . Got him to the bank... pick him up around the back to get ready to lip him...and remove the hooks. something falls out of his mouth and hits the ground... it sounded like a small rock. Ive cleaned many fish with odd things in them.. so not thinking twice about . as I leaned back toward the water... the rock moved... it is what I believe to be a baby alligator snapping turtle. It was about the size of a half dollar... Never seeing one this small.. and the state he was in.. I put him in a cup and brought him home... we now have a pet snapping turtle... but he will be released... Ill post a picture of him soon.... http://www.taneycomonights.com
vonreed Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 I hope you don't get in trouble. I don't care, but others might. Cool story though. My friend swore he saw one really big alligator snapper last year in Swan Creek, but I had doubts. Maybe he was right.
gotmuddy Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 they are native to this area. everything in this post is purely opinion and is said to annoy you.
Ham Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 I look forward to the pictures. Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish
Members Tom Tricamo Posted March 19, 2012 Members Posted March 19, 2012 Ive personally seen one at LOZ with a shell that was twice the size of a trash can lid. Awesome animal and really cool that they're native to the Ozarks.
laker67 Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 It has been 20 plus years since I have seen one. It was in a farm pond near Lebanon. I see lots of snappers on the upper current, but no alligator snappers. SOH might be interested in having it, but then again, it might be a little shady having it in your possesion. Don't know.
Leonard Posted March 19, 2012 Author Posted March 19, 2012 I think it is a really cute animal.... it came from the wild and now that I know he is alive and well... it will be going back here he is... http://www.taneycomonights.com
Daryk Campbell Sr Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 Status: Rare and declining due to water pollution, habitat loss, reduction of egg-laying sites and overharvesting. Missouri and federal law prohibits the importation, transportation, sale, purchase, taking or possession of animals on the State or Federal lists. If fishing, check your limb lines and trotlines daily; if you catch one of these rare turtles you must release it unharmed. Per the MDC website, if it is an actuall Alligator Snapping Turtle, it is illegal to have, or sell them. http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/alligator-snapping-turtle Money is just ink and paper, worthless until it switches hands, and worthless again until the next transaction. (me) I am the master of my unspoken words, and the slave to those that should have remained unsaid. (unknown)
podum Posted March 20, 2012 Posted March 20, 2012 Whatever the regs are, that little critter is coooool. Doesn't look like the little common snapping turtles I've seen. I'd let it go before the Man breaks down your door. To think, you saved it by catching and releasing a smallmouth. A double save. I wish I had more time more than I wish I had more money.
Leonard Posted March 20, 2012 Author Posted March 20, 2012 well... after father checking... this is a baby common snapping turtle... not the alligator... so even better... The baby alligator: has a more define spine... 5 rows is more of a ginger tan color shorter tail bigger top jaw... over laps the bottom the common snapper: has the average of three rows darker colored with white spots longer tails as a baby top jaw just a bit long but they come together http://www.taneycomonights.com
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