Adult Male Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Torrential rain and mild temperatures swept the SouthCoast on Sunday night into Monday morning. After weeks of drought, humid air offered a welcome break for wildlife. Turtle Journal walked out to the Great Blue Heron rookery this morning. As Sue Wieber Nourse and Rufus followed the narrow path between mucky wetlands and swampy pond, they spotted a broiling underwater commotion obscured in the brownish murk.
 
Mating Pair of Snapping Turtles
Barely identifiable in the image above, a pair of snapping turtles explored amorous intentions. Tails fully entangled in the bottom of the photograph, and heads faced each other with mouths agape, the twosome undulated a foot below water surface. The male snapper whom we encountered later on the pathway was recognizable on top through the bumps on his carapace.
“Smiling” Male Snapping Turtle after Mating Engagement
A few minutes later, when they returned from a survey of the distant edge of the pond, Rufus bolted to attention and alerted Sue to a large still object at the edge of the path. Sue identified the adult male snapping turtle who a few moments earlier had been engaged in an energetic Texas two-step with a young female.Â
Sue Wieber Nourse and Rufus Discover Mating Snappers
This male snapper weighed about 25 pounds and he seemed to be taking a snooze after the passionate exchange.  He sported impressive claws nearly as thick as human fingers and he reared up high in powerful display of his dominance. “Leave me alone!”
Male Snappng Turtle Celebrates with Break Dance
Somehow our snapper friend got flipped over in his exuberant display of fierceness. As he used his noggin to right himself again, the sequence looked like a comical cartoon break dancer. Turtle Journal couldn’t resist putting the moment to music and motion.
Male Snapping Turtle Returns to the Water
Once right-side up again, this snapper had had enough of human and canine interaction. He furiously stiff-legged his way back to the edge of the path and took a nose dive into the pond. Within seconds, he had disappeared into the dark murkiness, a bit like Jaws escaping Quint by diving deep into the ocean darkness. It does give you pause, though, about what might lie beneath the placid waters of your local swimming hole. You remember, of course, the tag line for Jaws 2: “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.”