Movies have really shaped our view of nature. It probably started many years ago with movies such as The Creature from the Black Lagoon, but even more recent films have added to it.
Every once in a while, we see how this type of fear can come to a reality. It happened to a mother and daughter when they were on the Mississippi River fishing and a giant creature came out of nowhere.
The mother and daughter, Shala Holm and Avery were fishing in Brainerd, Minnesota. Suddenly, a huge creature with claws that looked like a bear came up from the depths.
The couple said they didn’t see the creature at first but they heard something that sounded like breathing. This may sound like something straight out of a science fiction thriller, but it was all too real for this couple.
Of course, this wasn’t the Loch Ness monster or some other type of mythical creature, it was a giant snapping turtle that came up to greet them. Snapping turtles are ancient creatures that are known for their 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.”
They estimated that the turtle was about 29 inches across. The mother said that she wasn’t afraid.
“People asked 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 their basket was retrieved, they were able to get away.
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.”
They were nervous about the creature but the next day they did go back to get some pictures. Shala sent pictures to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and they estimated the turtle was about 15 years old.
They are hoping that they can run into the turtle again and is not out of the question. Snapping turtles can live for a century or longer.