Mac approached this imposing individual slowly through the tangled vegetation so as not to spook his subject or stir up clouds of mud. The turtle continued feeding for a while, before shuffling its feet, kicking up a plume of sediment and raising its head, offering Mac a striking front-on view before calmly swimming away.
The common snapping turtle has a reputation for being aggressive and is capable of inflicting a nasty bite. Burying itself in the sand it uses the worm-shaped growth on the tip of its tongue to attract its prey then rapidly extends its head and neck to snap it up with a sharp bite.
USA
Mac strives to tell complex stories of wetlands and wildernesses through images of wildlife and the people who rely on it. He grew up in Florida, USA, and his love of the area comes from exploring its swamps, estuaries, springs and Everglades. He is a National Geographic explorer, a speaker, an author and a Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.
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