We awoke this morning to a new addition to our pet collection...Riley, our black Lab/Blue Heeler mix, was barking frantically at something in the side yard, just a few feet from the creek...the wife investigated, and found what she insisted was a snapping turtle...she, being the country girl was very sure what it was, & I wasn't about to argue so early in the day...but I did suggest that some pics would be a good thing.
As background info, it rained heavily last night, which may have driven the turtle to higher ground. Wife found evidence that he/she had tried to climb into her flower bed next to the house, but was prevented by the border of rocks...the turtle was covered in dirt (which can be seen in the pics), & there was about a one foot circle of disturbed earth around him/her...when my wife got in too close, the turtle snapped at her, making her jump back (& making our 15 yr old laugh)...could that dirt be covering a nest of eggs, or was it just a disoriented reptile cutting donuts in my yard? (damn punks...)

note: the last pic is the most recent we have of Riley, just cuz I have room for another pic...

Attached Images

	turtle 1.jpg (107.9 KB, 207 views)
	turtle 2.jpg (99.2 KB, 213 views)
	turtle head on.jpg (99.5 KB, 210 views)
	turtle 3.jpg (119.0 KB, 212 views)
	Riley '07.jpg (82.9 KB, 210 views)

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