The turtle came back today. It took her about 5 days to return from the bottom of the hill. The sheep were very interested and one of them was nipped on the nose. Bub came to our rescue.
We think the turtle was about 20 pounds and her shell measured at 12.5 inches. Very sharp claws for digging and spikes on her tail. Leaches on her shell. She smelt like compost, manure and fish.
If you look closely you can see one of the ducks in the background, right beyond her front claw. The sheep, Moses and Empress Anne came right up as soon as Bub got a hold of her. He is so much braver then I am.
We saw the hole she was digging and protecting. Most likely she would have laid the eggs tonight and then head back down to the pond. I am not sure how long it would have taken the eggs to hatch, but when they did the little snappers would learn to come back to the hill.
She had to go. She was warned.
She has a new home now, far far away where she can lay all the eggs she wants.
I hope she is happy there and never comes back. This past year we have had an owl take a duck. A bear at the bottom part of the pasture. Deer and moose come through the fencing. The snapping turtle has been the oddest repeat visitor so far.
All of this, plus Bubby’s new wood splitter has made it quite a day.
