Snapping turtle poking its head out of the water. |
I had to giggle over this phrase today as I sat on the pier staring into the muddy water. In the shallows, I could see the clear outline of an old snapping turtle as it was stirring up the bottom probably in search of its first meal after the winter hibernation. The turtle was obviously a bit sluggish from the cool water but was not particularly skittish of my presence. Not that it needed to be, since with those powerful jaws, it more or less rules the Bayou. Still, it stayed just under the water most of the time. I was amazed at how long the critter could hold its breath! I mean..my goodness!..it seemed like it was underwater forever! Then, I noticed..and felt a tad stupid! The turtle WAS breathing! I had not seen as it would poke the tip of its nose out of the water for a split second..just long enough to grab a breath! The snapping turtle has this unique nose where the nostrils sit right up on top! This allows it to stay hidden underwater or under the mud and yet still breathe. What a great idea! The turtle could lie in wait for some prey to wander past and yet be completely comfortable! I watched and sure enough, every few minutes, the water would ripple. Just a tiny bit of the nose would break the surface and then disappear from sight! One quick breath was all it took! The turtle had stuck its nose in the air!
Snapping turtle poking just its nostrils out of the water! |
In my mind's eye, I saw the scene well! A few old spinster aunts whispering as they balanced their plates of fried chicken, baked beans and potato salad on their knees! "Uppity Miss Turtle! Just who does she think she is? Hmmmph...why she is no better than the rest of us!" "She needs to come down off of that high horse and realize we are just as good!" "That Dearie has her shorts in a wad! Prancing around with her nose stuck up in the air!"..... Giggle, giggle! Snicker, snicker! Poor snapping turtle..all it wanted to do was breathe!
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