Critters of the Week

Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina

Where Spotted: Southbank of T-Pot Bridge
Common Name: Snapping Turtle
Scientific Name: Chelydra serpentina
Average Length: 8 – 14 in. (20.3 – 36 cm), weight 10 – 35 lbs. (4.5 – 16 kg)

Quick Facts (More information on the snapping turtle at Virginia Herpetological Society)

• They will eat anything they can subdue. Foraging occurs during the day and night. The following prey have been recorded from Virginia specimens: crayfish, predaceous diving beetles, flies, catfish (Ictalurus spp.), toads (Anaxyrus spp.). Cope’s Gray Treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis), Green Treefrogs (Hyla cinerea), muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), aquatic macrophytes, duckweed (Lemna spp.), and filamentous algae.
• In Virginia, Snapping Turtles lay a single clutch of 7-55 eggs (ave. = 27.0 ± 13.2, n = 13) in late May through mid-June.
• The largest Snapping Turtle reported in Virginia was caught at Ft. Pickett in August 2008 by a commercial Snapping turtle fisherman. The turtle weighed in at 51 lbs. (23.13 kg) with a straight-line carapace length of 18 1/3 in. (46.5 cm).

Chorizo from RACC

Chorizo was definitely roughing it as a yard dog in his life before RACC. He arrived to us very skinny, fly strike on his ears, dirty, and his canine teeth are completely worn down. We showed him love, comfy bedding, large yummy meals, and now Chorizo is beaming with happiness! He can be reserved in his kennel, but he lights up when he goes outside for playtime! Chorizo enjoys playing fetch, running around aimlessly and rolling in the grass. He is very affectionate too – he definitely appreciates all the kindness he has been shown by us. Chorizo would love a home with a fenced in yard but it isn’t necessary. He would also enjoy quality walks with his new people, checking out new places and seeing new things. He likes other dogs but gets along better with females or dogs that aren’t intimidating with their body language. Please ask for Kacie to show you Chorizo. She is his favorite person at RACC.

Primary Color: Rust
Secondary Color: White
Weight: 61.1
Age: 6yrs 1mths 1wks

Adopt Chorizo at RACC

Information on the Dog Adoption Process

Please note that the adoptable critter we’ve selected was available when we created the post the animal might not be available when you go to the facility.