Dino-like creature shocks locals, has nasty bite

Locals in Cumbria, England, were shocked to discover a spiky, dinosaur-like creature bathing in a small body of water near their homes. The hard-shelled animal, named Fluffy by its rescuers, is neither fluffy nor cuddly and is from across the pond, possessing a “nasty bite” capable of severing a finger with a single snap. Read on to understand why this prehistoric creature poses 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 known for its abundant flora and fauna, when they encountered a dinosaur-like creature with spiky armor covering its back. Unsure of its identity, the owner took a photo of the peculiar animal and shared it on Facebook, seeking answers. The post caught the attention of Denise Chamberlain, an Urswick parish councillor who had previously worked in Florida and recognized the carnivorous creature known for its “nasty nip.” Speaking to PA Media (via The Guardian), Chamberlain stated, “I looked at it and immediately thought, ‘oh goodness, I know what you are.'” She identified the animal as a juvenile alligator snapping turtle, adding, “These turtles have a natural defence mechanism: when you go near them, they open their mouth.” Chamberlain then embarked on a rescue mission to safely retrieve the turtle, likely abandoned by an owner no longer wishing to care for the fierce creature whose powerful jaws can easily snap through bone. These dinosaur-like turtles, typically found in swamps and rivers across the southern U.S. and in Central and South America, can grow up to 200 lbs and live for over 100 years. “These species are invasive, they’re non-native and I knew it was going to upset the ecology of the tarn, which is very finely balanced,” she explained, noting that the turtle, having no natural predators, could decimate the tarn’s wildlife. “That type of creature, while it’s not going to breed, could do some real damage to the fish stocks and eat all sorts of local wildlife.” The rescue, undertaken with extreme caution as Chamberlain had never handled such an animal before, involved her entering the murky waters equipped with safety gloves and a shopping basket. She described the angry-looking turtle as “just sat in the shadows,” its beak resting above the waterline. “It was lurking around the top so it could catch the rays of the sun but [the turtle] stays underwater and breathes.” She added, “It looked like a prehistoric little dinosaur.” Due to the cold water and the turtle’s chilled state, capture was relatively easy, though not before it warned its captor by opening its powerful jaws.

“Fortunately, because it was quite cold and the turtle itself was quite cold, it wasn’t too difficult to manoeuvre into the shopping basket,” Chamberlain commented. After a meal of raw chicken, Chamberlain transported the turtle to Wild Side Vets in Barrow-in-Furness. Dr. Kate Hornby, the clinic’s owner and a veterinarian, remarked, “It’s certainly the first one we’ve seen at the clinic – they are kept in the UK but they’re certainly not a common thing you would see at the vets.” She cautioned, “It would certainly give you a nasty nip and it could probably do significant damage to a finger or finger end, but at this size, it’s not particularly dangerous.” Wild Side Vets is urging people to be more considerate when acquiring pets. “We believe he had been abandoned at the tarn. If you are struggling to keep your reptile, please feel free to talk to us in confidence, no judgement and we will do our very best to help.” The post, which includes photos of the turtle believed to be around five or six years old, continues: “Please don’t abandon or keep any reptile in suboptimal conditions. We can help.” Speaking to PA Media, the vet stated, “We haven’t been able to identify whether it’s male or female due to its size – but we’re calling it Fluffy for now.” Chamberlain added, “I think the name Fluffy is very appropriate – it’s a reference to the creature in Harry Potter. And as someone on Facebook said, it certainly looks like a creature Hagrid would love.” Meanwhile, locals are expressing a lot of affection for the turtle and its rescuers on social media. One netizen wrote, “Fluffy, got to love that name for such an unusual creature but beautiful to see and so glad he/she was brought to you to be taken care of.” Another shared, “Ahh bless him – so glad he turned up at the right place to find the right people to help him x.” and a third commented, “Wow, what an awesome looking thing, I mean, I wouldn’t want to cuddle him but still, he’s amazing.” This week, the shelled creature will be relocated to a wildlife center in Cornwall, where it can live in more suitable conditions. We are also very happy “he turned up at the right place to find the right people.” Please exercise extreme caution when acquiring a pet and conduct thorough research, remembering that they will not remain small forever. What are your thoughts on Fluffy? Please share this story and let’s see what others have to say about this incredible creature!