A dog and his owner were enjoying a walk along the scenic shores of Urswick Tarns in The UK, a limestone-rich area known for its diverse plant and animal life, when they encountered something unexpected — a creature that looked like a dinosaur, with spiky armor covering its back. Unsure of what they had stumbled upon, the owner took a quick photo of the strange animal and shared it on Facebook, hoping someone could identify it. The post quickly caught the eye of Denise Chamberlain, an Urswick parish councilor who had previously worked in Florida.
She immediately recognized the mysterious creature as a juvenile alligator snapping turtle, a carnivorous animal capable of delivering a “nasty nip.” Speaking with PA Media via The Guardian, Chamberlain explained, “I looked at it and immediately thought, ‘Oh goodness, I know what you are.’” She added, “These turtles have a natural defense mechanism: when you go near them, they open their mouth.”
Realizing the potential danger, Chamberlain decided to rescue the turtle, which was likely abandoned by an owner who could no longer handle its fierce nature. With powerful jaws that can easily snap through bone, alligator snapping turtles are usually found in swamps and rivers across the southern U.S. and in Central and South America. They can grow up to 200 pounds and live for over a century. “These species are invasive, non-native, and could disrupt the delicate ecology of the tarn,” Chamberlain noted, concerned about the impact on local wildlife. “While it’s not going to breed, it could cause significant damage to fish stocks and other local animals.”
Although she had never handled an animal like this before, Chamberlain proceeded with great caution. Armed with safety gloves and a shopping basket, she waded into the murky water to capture the turtle. “It just sat in the shadows, its beak resting above the waterline,” she recalled. “It looked like a prehistoric little dinosaur.” Luckily, due to the cold temperatures, the turtle was more sluggish, making it easier to maneuver into the basket, but not without a warning snap of its powerful jaws.
Dr. Kate Hornby, a veterinarian and owner of the local clinic, commented, “It’s certainly the first one we’ve seen at the clinic. While these turtles are kept in the UK, they’re not common.” She added, “At this size, it isn’t particularly dangerous, but it could give you a nasty nip.”
The turtle, believed to be about five or six years old, was likely abandoned. The clinic urged anyone struggling to care for a reptile to seek help instead of abandoning them. “Please don’t abandon or keep any reptile in suboptimal conditions,” their post read. The turtle, humorously named “Fluffy,” has become a sensation. “We haven’t determined if it’s male or female yet, but for now, we’re calling it Fluffy,” the vet noted. Chamberlain added, “I think the name Fluffy is very fitting — a nod to the creature from Harry Potter. It does look like something Hagrid would adore!”
The local community has rallied around Fluffy and his rescuers, showering them with affection on social media. One person wrote, “Fluffy — got to love that name for such an unusual creature! So glad he/she was brought to you for care.” Another commented, “Ah, bless him — so glad he turned up at the right place to find the right people to help him.”
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Fluffy will be relocated to a wildlife center in Cornwall, where he or she will have a more suitable environment to thrive. We’re grateful that this remarkable creature found the right people to help. Remember, always do your homework before getting a pet — they may not stay small forever!
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