Why did the Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) cross the road? It sounds like the opening line of a joke, but I asked myself that question yesterday when I spotted a snapping turtle lumbering its way across one of the trails at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The turtle’s back was covered with mud, suggesting it had only recently emerged from its winter sleep. In the past I have sometimes seen snapping turtles out of the water when they were getting ready to lay eggs, though it seems a little early for that to be taking place.
I have always thought that snapping turtle look like dinosaurs. What do you think?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I can see the dinosaur resemblance.
I have never seen a snapping turtle out of the water. It is a cool thing to see so thank you for sharing. It definitely has the look of a prehistoric critter.
I would have guessed to lay her eggs too, but you may be right that it’s early for that. I was curious, so i did a search. In this Connecticut webpage, it says egg-laying begins as early as April (May or June in New England), but does not mention any other reason these turtles leave the water, so I think this one is just an early bird, er, early turtle!
Thanks for the info–I think you are quite likely right about laying eggs.
Yes indeed! I have never seen one out of the water!