Woman walking her dog in England finds a dinosaur-like creature in a lake—then is stunned by its true identity
People in Cumbria, England, were left in disbelief after a spiky, dinosaur-like creature was found bathing in a small pond near their homes. The animal, with its hard shell—a rescue named it “Fluffy”—wasn’t a prehistoric relic, but it did have a “nasty bite” that could snap off a finger.
A Shocking Encounter
Last week, a woman and her dog were strolling along the shores of Urswick Tarns, a calcium-rich area famous for its wildlife, when they stumbled upon an armored, spiked animal in the water. Not knowing what it was, the woman snapped a photo and posted it on Facebook to seek answers.
The Mystery Is Solved
Her post caught the attention of Denise Chamberlain, a Urswick councilor and former Florida resident, who recognized the carnivorous animal thanks to her experience with exotic animals. Chamberlain immediately realized: this was a young alligator snapping turtle—a species with a notorious bite.
Chamberlain sprang into action, believing the turtle had been abandoned by its previous owner. With thick gloves and a shopping basket, she carefully retrieved the “prehistoric” reptile, which was cold and sluggish due to the weather. The turtle did snap its jaws as a warning, but the rescue went safely.
Why the Alligator Snapping Turtle Is a Threat
Alligator snapping turtles, native to the southern US and parts of Central and South America, can grow up to 200 pounds and survive more than 100 years. In England, they are an invasive species—these turtles have no natural predators and can devastate local fish and wildlife populations, even in small ponds.
The Rescue
Chamberlain had never handled this species before, so she was extra cautious. The turtle sat in the water's shade with its beak above the surface, lurking and soaking up the sun. Thanks to the cold, Fluffy was easy to catch.
After feeding Fluffy some raw chicken, Chamberlain transported her to Wild Side Vets in Barrow-in-Furness.
Dr. Kate Hornby, the clinic owner and veterinarian, confirmed that this was her first encounter with this species in the UK. Fluffy could certainly injure a finger if provoked, but wasn’t considered extremely dangerous at that size.
“Please Don’t Abandon Pets”
Wild Side Vets urged people to think carefully before taking on exotic pets. “We think Fluffy was abandoned at the pond. If you’re struggling with your reptile, please contact us for help. Reptiles are expensive and difficult to keep—never just abandon them,” their statement said. Fluffy is only around five or six years old, but could live a century.
Fluffy’s Fame and Future
No one knows if Fluffy is male or female yet, but the name is a playful tribute to the three-headed dog in Harry Potter—a joke enjoyed by the community. Social media has flooded the rescuers with praise and relief at Fluffy’s safe outcome.
This week, Fluffy will move to an animal sanctuary in Cornwall, where she’ll get specialized care and a proper environment. It’s a happy ending for Fluffy—and a reminder that exotic pets are a lifelong commitment, not a temporary whim.
What do you think of Fluffy? Would you have dared to make that rescue? Share this story and join the conversation about this extraordinary creature!
Source: https://nl.newsner.com/dieren/dinosaurusachtig-wezen/