A mom and daughter were in for a big surprise when out fishing on the Mississippi River as a giant creature came up from the water.
Shala Holm and Avery were fishing near Brainerd, in Minnesota, when this huge figure swam up with massive bear-like claws
The pair recalled how they heard something breathing before looking to find the source and seeing the huge beast.
Now, you may be right to think that it was some mythical water creature out to snap up the mom and child, but in reality- proof dictated that it was a snapping turtle - a prehistoric-looking reptile feared for its powerful bite.
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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.”
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Shala estimated that this particular turtle was about 29 inches across.
The 67-year-old added: “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.
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“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 heir basket free, the pair were able to make a fast retreat.
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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.”
Despite ‘freaking out’ about the creature, they actually returned the very next day to get some photos, which Shala sent off to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which told her the turtle could be around 15 years old.
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Shala said that she hopes to encounter the turtle next time she’s in the area, and as snapping turtles can live for more than 100 years there’s a strong chance she might be able to catch another glimpse.
Britt Jones