The Lost Monsters of Summer!

Coyote Peterson and his gang of Reptilian Enthusiasts took on some serious challenges this past summer. In many instances going neck deep into some of the foulest smelling sink bogs, swamps and marshes you could ever dare to imagine.

We safely captured, documented and released 40 Common Snapping Turtles, all with out the use of Nets or Traps. It was one heck of an adventure!

All of the turtles were incredible...however, we did not share pictures of all of them, or all of the adventures. So this post is simply dedicated to some of the beasts who didn't get their moment in the summer spotlight.
Enjoy the Lost Monsters of Summer!

The first two beasts who deserve a moment of red carpet time are the Black Beak Brothers.

These two Snapping Turtles were both captured at Blacklick Woods Metro Park.

Notice how both turtles have very similar looking beaks...

Black and nasty looking! We hypothesize that this is actually staining from the dark black mud on the basin of the pond.

Believe it or not...these are two completely different turtles...


despite their similarities!

This turtle measured in with a carapace length of 14.5 inches and weighted 32 lbs.

The second turtle, and bigger of the two, measured in at 16 inches and weighed 39 lbs. This was a very close moment where the turtle literally turned around and lunged so fast that Coyote nearly found his fingers in the jaws of doom.

Here are a few more that you never saw...

Captured at The Rookery during a scouting trip...14 inch carapace, 28 lbs.

Captured at The Holden Arboretum on a very cold Mother's Day. 14.5 inch carapace, 30 lbs.

Captured at The Creekside Bog, 15.5 inch carapace, 33 lbs.

Pup Peterson was present at this capture...

Holding Papa's binoculars, the look on her face says it all!

This is...The REPTILE Show!