07/06/2008

Associated Press

When Tom Carroll picked up the large turtle he spotted on a rural Linn County road, he let out a scream. It was 20 inches long, it was trying to bite him and it clearly knew how.

"It's not that friendly," he recalls saying at the time. And "It isn't native to here."

He was right both times.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife identified it as a common snapping turtle, native to the East Coast and, to the dismay of some, taking up residence in Oregon.

Carroll made sure to keep his hands on the side of the algae-covered shell and well away from the turtle's gaping mouth.

State wildlife officials now get more than 10 snapping turtle reports a year, and scientists have confirmed that the species is reproducing, said Susan Barnes, Northwest region wildlife diversity biologist.

That makes it a threat to ducklings and full-grown ducks, fish, frogs and a shrinking population of rare native Western pond turtles.

In one pond in the Tualatin River basin the agency found 12 snapping turtles. "We know they are in the Sandy River, and also in the Willamette River," Barnes said. "We had one pulled out of the Columbia River last year."

Carroll's turtle probably was at least 20 years old, based on its size.

Barnes guessed it was a female looking for a place to lay its eggs.

For now it is at the Adair Village office of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, its fate uncertain.

It either will be held for educational purposes or killed and dissected to determine the turtle's diet.

"More animals are kept alive for education, but it depends on what it is, and whether there is an opening (at a suitable location) at the time," Barnes said.

Not a lot of data is available on this not-so-common invasive species.

"We have had visual reports of snapping turtles eating ducklings and even adult ducks."

Based on literature from other regions, the turtles also are likely eating frogs and water snakes as well as the smaller native pond turtles.

Those who find one should call the Adair Village office of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"If you have a way to safely, without getting harmed, contain it in some way, please do so," Barnes said.

They have long necks, and people should keep the head pointing away. Snapping turtles can be picked up by holding onto the shell near the hind legs.

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http://www.willametteturtles.com

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Information from: Gazette-Times, http://www.gtconnect.com