A man has been hailed as an “absolute legend” after he was spotted trying to prevent a snapping turtle from being run over on a roadway.
The moment was captured in a video shared by @xannydo and has amassed more than 6.1 million views since it was posted on July 24. A note overlaid on the clip reads: “…my boyfriend trying to save a snapping turtle from getting run over.” The footage shows a man standing on a roadway, wearing gloves while attempting to usher the turtle off it.
The boyfriend is seen making various attempts, from trying to pick the turtle up to using finger gestures to lure the creature away from the road and nudging it along with a small tree branch. The turtle is shown occasionally snapping its mouth at the man as he endeavors to bring the reptile to safety. A caption shared with the post reads: “He was in a snappy goofy mood.”
Snapping turtles are large freshwater turtles with “a heavy, muscular build, sharp claws, a long flexible neck, a sharp serrated beak, and powerful jaws.” They live in a wide range of the country, including all of the Eastern and Midwestern United States, notes the U.S. National Park Service.
The NPS says: “Like most wildlife snapping turtles will defend themselves if they feel threatened. For your safety, please stay at least five feet from any snapping turtle.”
Snapping turtles spend most of their lives under water, occasionally sticking the tips of their nostrils up for air. However, they can go into hibernation and not breathe for months in the winter, according to the NPS.
During early summer, female snapping turtles come out of the water to lay their eggs on dry land. “Normally very shy, females on land can be aggressive if they feel threatened and have long necks that allow them to strike out with lightning speed and inflict severe bites,” says the NPS.
‘Absolute Legend’
TikTok users adored the boyfriend in the viral video and his admirable attempts to save the snapping turtle.
Adam Chernick posted, “You’re dating an absolute legend. Total,” and Miranda Caldwell added that he is “A hero.”
Myranda Byrne simply commented: “Greenest of flags.”
“That turtle had no appreciation,” posted @just_clownin_honk.
Sandra De la Vega commented: “The turtle like: ‘You don’t saved my life! You ruined my death!!'”
Sara Fantastic wrote: “That turtle wanted him to mind his business so bad lol [laugh out loud].” The original poster replied: “I know he was mad mad.”
Emilytayl0rxo posted, “Him trying to wheelbarrow it,” and Kajapapaya added: “The wiggling finger got me.”
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
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