A mom and her daughter had a surprising adventure while fishing on the Mississippi River when a giant creature emerged from the water.
Shala Holm and her daughter Avery were fishing near Brainerd, Minnesota, when a massive figure with bear-like claws swam up to them.
The pair remembered hearing something breathing before spotting the source of the noise and seeing the enormous beast.
It might be easy to think it was some mythical water creature ready to snatch them up.
But, as it turned out, it was a snapping turtle – a prehistoric-looking reptile known for its powerful bite.
Shala said, “Suddenly my daughter said, ‘mom, be quiet, I hear something breathing’.”
“It took a while before we saw the nose of a turtle swimming toward the kayak.”
“As it got closer, we saw how big it was. He dove under the kayak and latched himself onto the fishing basket with his nails.
“We were so freaked out about the size.”
Shala guessed that this particular turtle was about 29 inches across.
The 67-year-old added, “People asked if I was afraid, and I must admit at the time I was, which is kind of silly because I am bigger than he was and hopefully smarter.
“I guess because we were so close to him, being in the kayak, and I didn’t know how badly he wanted those fish and if he would try and get into the kayak.”
“I wasn’t sure how I would get him off the basket. I was nervous about grabbing the handle of the basket, I wasn’t sure how badly he wanted the fish and how aggressive he might be.
“We’ve all heard stories of snappers snapping a broom stick handle in two.”
After managing to shake their basket free, Shala and Avery made a quick retreat.
Shala said, “We never heard him or saw him again until he was clinging onto the basket.”
“My heart was racing but I was able to grab my phone and snap a few pictures.”
“I was amazed at the size of his outstretched legs; his feet were the size of my fist and then add those nails! I was afraid he might claw his way on top of the basket.”
Even though they were ‘freaked out’ by the creature, they returned the very next day to take some photos.
Shala sent these to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which told her the turtle could be around 15 years old.
Shala said she hopes to see the turtle again next time she’s in the area, and since snapping turtles can live for more than 100 years, there’s a good chance she might get another glimpse.
