Residents in Cumbria, England were taken aback when they learned that a spiky, dinosaur-like creature was spotted relaxing in a small lake close to their homes.
Dubbed Fluffy by those who rescued it, this hard-shelled animal – which is neither fluffy nor friendly – hails from across the ocean and has a “nasty bite” capable of severing a finger in one quick snap.
Continue reading to find out why this ancient creature is a significant threat to the small lake in Cumbria, England.
Last week, a dog and its owner were walking along the shores of Urswick Tarns – a limestone-rich area famous for its diverse plant and animal life – when they stumbled upon a dinosaur-like creature, its back covered in spiky armor.
Uncertain of what it was, the person took a picture of the strange animal and posted it on Facebook, hoping to get some information.
The post caught the eye of Denise Chamberlain, a parish councillor from Urswick, who had previously worked in Florida and recognized the carnivorous creature that could deliver a “nasty nip.”
In a conversation with PA Media (via the Guardian), Chamberlain remarked, “I looked at it and immediately thought, ‘oh goodness, I know what you are.’” After identifying the creature as a juvenile alligator snapping turtle, she added, “These turtles have a natural defense mechanism: when you approach them, they open their mouth.”
Chamberlain then embarked on a rescue mission to carefully retrieve the turtle, which was likely abandoned by an owner who no longer wanted to care for the fierce animal whose strong jaws can easily crush bone.
The turtle species that resemble dinosaurs are usually found in swamps and rivers throughout the southern United States, as well as in Central and South America. They can weigh as much as 200 pounds and have a lifespan exceeding 100 years.
“These species are invasive and non-native, and I was aware that they would disrupt the delicate ecology of the tarn,” she explained about the turtle, which has no natural enemies and could wipe out the tarn’s wildlife. “Even though this creature won’t reproduce, it could seriously harm the fish population and consume various local animals.”
The rescue
Having never dealt with this kind of animal before, Chamberlain approached the situation with great care. Equipped with safety gloves to shield her hands and a shopping basket to transport him to a safer environment, she waded into the murky waters.
She described the turtle, which appeared quite angry, as “just sitting in the shadows,” with its beak above the water’s surface. “It was lurking near the top to soak up the sun, but it stays submerged and breathes underwater.” She remarked, “It looked like a little dinosaur from prehistoric times.”
Due to the cold water and the turtle being chilly as well, capturing it was relatively easy, although it did warn her by opening its strong jaws.
“Luckily, since the water was quite cold and the turtle was also cold, it wasn’t too hard to maneuver it into the shopping basket,” Chamberlain noted.
‘Please don’t abandon’ pets
After enjoying a meal of raw chicken, Chamberlain took the turtle to Wild Side Vets in Barrow-in-Furness.
“This is definitely the first one we’ve encountered at the clinic – while they are kept in the UK, they are not something you would typically see at the vets,” said Dr. Kate Hornby, the clinic owner and veterinarian. “It could certainly give you a nasty bite and might cause serious harm to a finger or fingertip, but at this size, it’s not particularly dangerous.”
Wild Side Vets encourages everyone to think more carefully before getting a pet.
“We believe he was left behind at the tarn. If you’re having trouble taking care of your reptile, don’t hesitate to reach out to us in confidence, without any judgement, and we will do our utmost to assist you.” The post, which features pictures of the turtle thought to be around five or six years old, goes on to say, “Please do not abandon or keep any reptile in poor conditions. We are here to help.”
Fluffy
In a conversation with PA Media, the vet mentions, “We haven’t been able to determine if it’s male or female because of its size – but for now, we’re calling it Fluffy.”
Chamberlain adds, “I think the name Fluffy fits perfectly – it’s a nod to the creature in Harry Potter. And as someone pointed out on Facebook, it definitely resembles a creature Hagrid would adore.”
Meanwhile, the local community is showering the turtle and its rescuers with affection on social media.
“Fluffy, what a cute name for such an unusual but beautiful creature, and I’m so happy he/she was brought to you for care,” comments one user.
Another writes, “Ahh, bless him – so glad he showed up at the right place to meet the right people to help him x.” A third user adds, “Wow, what an incredible looking creature! I wouldn’t want to cuddle him, but he’s still amazing.”
This week, the shelled animal will be moved to a wildlife center in Cornwall, where he (or she) can thrive in better conditions.
We are also really pleased that “he showed up at the right place to find the right people.” Please be cautious when getting a pet and do your research, keeping in mind they won’t stay small forever.
