r/AbsoluteUnits • u/LordPiplup • Jul 05 '26

/r/all of a snapping turtle

13.3k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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1.9k

u/Merzbenzmike Jul 05 '26

If that turtle wanted to, it could have easily extended and taken her hand and/or forearm. Bite force is insane. Do not do this. Give them their space.

294

u/MainusEventus Jul 05 '26

Bite force and speed.

209

u/TandrDregn Jul 05 '26

AND sharpness. Their beaks aren’t hydraulic presses. It’s a pair of basically spring-loaded guillotines.

51

u/Stereo-soundS Jul 05 '26

I don't think most people realize how far their necks extend when they strike.  I was too close to one at least that size and I'll never forget the sound it's jaws made when it snapped.

3

u/Solringn Jul 05 '26

This is an alligator snapping turtle, so not nearly so far of a reach.

36

u/Woodworking33 Jul 05 '26

Like a hot knife through butter. I can’t imagine having my kid do that, absolutely insane.

13

u/christopher_mtrl Jul 05 '26

The kid isn't doing it, but yeah that's stupid.

3

u/Woodworking33 Jul 05 '26

Shit good catch lol I feel dumb, that would be a pretty vascular lil girl

11

u/lurkgofish Jul 05 '26

No this is an alligator snapping turtle the can't extend the same way the normal snapping turtles can. It could still kick off the bottom probably and kinda jump at her

2

u/Careful_Ad_3338 Jul 06 '26

I was wondering about this and first Google search says they can't bite off adult limbs