Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) can live to be 200 years old. I've seen some biggies back home...they could've been CENTURIES old. Once I picnicked by a human dug pond in the city. Surprised out of my meditative chew, a sudden crunch of leaves and twigs neared. Mouth gaping, a great turtle waddled to the water, its hooked beak less than a foot from my bare legs twisted in the grass. I reached a hand out in bravery to keep rhythm on its peaked shell. In its determination, the turtle didn't stop to hiss, but slid into the jeweled water. I brought my hand to my heart, for safekeeping.
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