(by Kimmie Whiteman and Doug Bechtel)
New Hampshire Audubon staff are mourning the loss of Snappy, our beloved male Snapping Turtle. We lost Snappy following an irreversible and rapid decline in his health.
For the past 11 years, Snappy had been a star of the Massabesic Audubon Center, greeting visitors as soon as they walk into the Animal Room. His docile, but curious demeanor helped him forge connections with the public as they learned more about snapping turtle behavior and physiology.
Snapping turtles are known to predate nests of waterfowl, such as geese and ducks, which can cast them as villains to the bird-watching public. However, they are important scavengers in aquatic habitats, and subsist on a wide variety of prey, including invertebrates, fish, frogs, snakes, other turtles, small mammals, birds, and vegetation. Snappy truly served as an ambassador for his species, and helped foster an appreciation and respect for wild Snapping Turtles.
Thanks goes out to our animal care team that has provided care and support and attention to Snappy over the years. In particular, the last 5-6 years we have SO appreciated the care provided by Amanda Klemm, Angie Krysiak, Christian Robinson, and our attentive volunteers.
Photo by Angie Krysiak.