An alligator snapping turtle, notorious for its ability to sever human fingers, was discovered in Cumbria and was given the name “Fluffy” by vets. These turtles are native to Florida’s rivers and swamps and are identifiable by their shell that resembles armor. After multiple sightings in the area, the freshwater reptile was rescued from Urswick Tarn by local parish councillor Denise Chamberlain, who placed it in a shopping basket and took it to a vet. Dr. Dom Moule, a vet, expressed surprise at the discovery, as he initially expected the mysterious reptile to be a loggerhead turtle or a terrapin. He noted that the turtle was likely abandoned by an exotic pet owner unaware of the challenges of caring for it. The vets have affectionately named the turtle “Fluffy,” despite being unable to determine its gender due to its small size. While numerous individuals have offered to take in Fluffy, it has been decided that the reptile will be relocated to a specialized wildlife center in Cornwall. Denise Chamberlain urged exotic pet owners struggling to care for their animals to seek assistance from organizations such as the RSPCA and commended the staff at Wild Side Vets in Barrow for their handling of the turtle. Alligator snapping turtles are considered an invasive species capable of easily biting through bone and have a history of severing human fingers. These turtles are hunters that typically prey on fish, frogs, small mammals, and even other turtles. They can reach lengths of up to 100cm and weigh up to 90kg.
