There could be dozens of them
in your local creek.
Snapping turtles are the largest
freshwater turtles in North America.
And although they might seem slow
and sluggish,
they're quick.
And their jaws are so strong
that they could bite your finger off.
Unlike other species of turtles,
the snapping turtle can’t fit its head
and limbs inside its shell
to protect itself
and escape predators.
But this turtle has sharp claws.
And since the snapping turtle
doesn't have teeth,
its ultimate weapon
is its extra strong bony beak.
Snapping turtles can grow to
46 cm (18 in) long
and weigh up to 34 kg (75 lb).
You can identify them
due to their long tail covered in sharp,
spiny ridges.
The alligator snapping turtle has
a jaw strength of over 450 kg (1,000 lb).
That could inflict an intensely painful bite,
and it could rip a toe off.
Snapping turtles act quickly
and without thinking,
based on their reflexes.
So if you see a couple of these reptiles
swimming in a pond or river,
don't move quickly.
If a snapping turtle heads toward you,
slowly move away without splashing
or making loud noises.
The turtle could interpret that as a threat
and you could feel the power of its jaws.
If a snapping turtle bites you,
stay calm
and don't try to open its jaws.
Don’t let the pain get the best of you.
Try to think reasonably.
The more you struggle,
the harder these reptiles will clamp
down onto you.
You can remove the turtle
by submerging it in water.
Stay still,
and the turtle will usually
release you from its grip.
As soon as it lets you go,
get away from it.
You don’t want it to bite you again
and it's likely
since the turtle is already agitated.
Snapping turtles have salmonella bacteria
on their skin and in their mouths.
After the bite,
an infection should be your biggest concern.
The first thing you’ll need to do
is clean the wound
with warm water and soap.
Then apply an antiseptic gel or cream
to prevent further infection
and wrap the bite with sterile gauze.
Apply slight pressure
if the wound continues bleeding.
After getting first aid,
check for swelling around the bite
or pus in the wound.
These are symptoms
that you have an infection
and you might need a tetanus shot
or a course of antibiotics.
Other symptoms of an infection
are a headache or fever.
If you develop any of these after the bite,
you'll need medical attention.
If you pick it up by the tail,
these turtles can easily
turn around and bite you.
If you don’t come near them,
they can't hurt you.
So leave these reptiles alone.
You survived a snapping turtle's bite
and walked away without missing
any toes or fingers.
But
what is that weird log
that just floated by you?
It’s a crocodile
and it’s hungry.
But don't worry.
We can help you with that too,
here
on How to Survive.