Saw a big snapping turtle crossing Piedmont Road near the park today

I was stopped at the light at Piedmont and Monroe around 2pm and this huge turtle just slowly made its way across the crosswalk. Must have been at least 15 inches across the shell. Everyone in my car was losing it and the guy in the truck next to me got out and actually helped it get to the grass. I've lived here 8 years and never seen anything like that. Anyone else run into wildlife like that around Atlanta?

3 comments

3 Comments

roseb628d ago

Oh wow, "everyone in my car was losing it" - I can totally picture that! I would have been screaming too. That's crazy that the guy in the truck actually got out to help it across. I don't think I'd have the guts to touch a snapping turtle that big, those things can bite your finger clean off. I've seen some big box turtles around my neighborhood in Decatur but nothing like a 15 inch monster just strolling through a crosswalk in the middle of the day.

laura_ross8d ago

My buddy from upstate actually had a similar thing happen last summer near his cabin. A 12 inch snapper was just parked in the middle of a dirt road and he had to use a shovel to nudge it along because it was not budging. He told me it hissed at him and snapped at the shovel like three times before it finally moved. @roseb62 you're right about not wanting to touch it, I'd rather deal with an angry cat than one of those prehistoric looking dudes. I heard they can bite through a broom handle so no thanks, I'll stay in the car and film it like everyone else.

michaela167d ago

Had one try to take a chunk out of my boot last year, those things don't mess around.