Surprising Encounter with a Giant Snapping Turtle
Authorities have reassured the public not to worry despite reports of a monster in the Mississippi River. Imagine standing just a few feet away from such a beast in the water.

Shala Holm, from Buffalo, Minnesota, recently gained widespread attention for her photo of a large snapping turtle. Holm encountered this turtle while kayaking with her daughter at Niemeyer’s Rugged River Resort near Brainerd. Holm recounted, “My daughter all of a sudden said, ‘Mom, be quiet. I can hear something breathing.’” They were astonished to see the turtle clawing onto a fish basket hanging from their kayak. Holm shook the basket, causing the turtle to swim away.

The Viral Photo and Its Impact
Returning the next day, Holm managed to photograph the turtle. Adult snapping turtles typically measure 8 to 14 inches long and weigh 10 to 35 pounds, but the largest in Minnesota weighed 65 pounds. Experts estimated the turtle in Holm’s photo to be at least 15 years old. The resort’s owners shared Holm’s photo on Facebook, where it went viral. Many commenters expressed disbelief, but resort owner Sheila Niemeyer confirmed, “It really is [real].”

Snapping Turtles: Misunderstood Creatures
Erica Hoaglund from the Minnesota DNR clarified that snapping turtles, though they appear “scary,” are not hazardous. They prefer to avoid encounters and only defend themselves when they feel threatened. “They really just want to avoid being encountered, and will hide and flee if given half a chance,” Hoaglund explained.

Returning to the Spot
Holm plans to revisit the resort next year, hoping to see the turtle again. Despite some Facebook users advising against swimming in the river, Holm remains unphased. “I’m going to go back to that spot next year and see if he or she is still around,” she said. Would you swim in that river? Let us know in the comments!