Rare Turtle Found In County

A female Alligator Snapping Turtle had a busy day last week after she was rescued, visited with some folks and then was released back into her wild habitat.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Warden Steve Stapleton received a call from Charlie Hensley with East Texas Gators about the turtle that was picked up by a man who found it in the middle of the road, trying to cross, in Corinth Community.

"The Alligator Snapping Turtle is threatened in the state of Texas," Stapleton said; adding that he has only helped relocate about four in his career. "They are also illegal to possess in Texas."

He explained that the large clamp on her mouth is so strong that she could break a persons arm or leg.

"They feed on other alligators and turtles," he noted, adding that they are around, but uncommon because they are so rare.

The 99.3-pound turtle, estimated to be 50 to 70 years old, was the star attraction at Canton Elementary School. If allowed to live out their life naturally, Stapleton said Alligator Snapping Turtles could live to be 100 to 150 years old.

Stapleton surprised Jonell Randall’s second grade class with a quick peak at the turtle and a lesson on the turtle’s habitat before he took her away to be released.

"Wild animals are meant to be wild," Stapleton said.

He further explained that this particular turtle sits in the water with her mouth open in order to catch food, and uses her large claws to help her crawl.

"We want wildlife wild, and we want to turn her loose so she can go back into her natural habitat," Stapleton said.

"It is an awesome part of my job to share this with the kids," he added.