A friendly baby snapping turtle swims along the shore at Chocorua Lake. Snapping turtles are not a danger to humans as long as you leave them alone—they don't attack humans in the water and will only appear aggressive on shore if they are being harassed—snapping is their defense mechanism.
Check out one of the cuter residents of Chocorua Lake! In June, snapping turtle females dig all along the sandy beach areas of Old Rt. 16 and at the Tamworth residents-only beach. It's not unusual to see the eggs hatch now, or even into November, depending on the weather. Snappers and painted turtles both often hatch late—sometimes they hatch underground, and the young over-winter underground in their nest, not coming above ground until the spring.They both have freeze tolerance as juveniles.
Snappers reach maturity (breeding age) at 15-20 years. Their size at that time depends on temperatures and how much they eat/metabolize. What's amazing is that the eggs that were laid this year actually hatched after such a busy summer. What might it feel like to be in an egg under the sand below the bare feet of numerous tourists?!?
Video: Bob Seston
Banner: An older snapping turtle sunning itself on a rock. Photo: Judy Paul