This was a very pretty big lady snapper, and she was not pleased with me, but she was over all pretty well behaved. She did snap at me ofc, but it was mostly shows of aggression no real reaches for my fingies. She didnt even hiss at me the sweet heart.
Its that time of year(at least here) where dumbass come out in droves to the fuckin road. And i do my duty as a creatur lover to help the stupids. If anyone sees this post and is unaware about how to move a big ol turt across the road properly i thought id give my preferred MO!
Approach the turt, see which way they are facing. (You need to bring them across the road the way they are heading or else they're just going to crawl back up into the road.)
Deploy the shroud, (a towel works best but a shirt, jacket on in my case a cloak, works just as good) make sure most of it hangs over their face. This gives you a bit more safety frm the snap and them less visible stressers.
Yoink the turt, hand placement is incredibly important. The back quarter of a snapper is safe to touch, they cant reach their necks back there (and the shroud provides additional safety) grab not JUST the top over hang of the shell, but also provide support from the bottom. (It's more comfortable for them and they will snap less, also a firmer hold for u)
Move the beast, dont run if you can avoid it but move Swifty and try and keep the creatur level.
Place the turt, put them as far off the road as you can and face them away from it. (An anger turt may turn back around to face you but at least try)
Reclaim ur towl/shirt/cloak
✨Profit✨
This might go without saying but-
never EVER grab a turtle by the tail!!
Its very painful for them and can cause health complications up to and including paralysis and death! The pain will also make them more irate, increasing your own likelihood of injury!
Additionally dont do the stick/towel/whatever in their mouth to drag them across the road, this can harm their bellys :(
Anways thank u for coming to my ted talk :)