HOA blames snapping turtles on Duck Deaths

[sweetcaroline]

Hi everyone, I just recently posted that sadly four Muscovy ducks were found floating headless in my communities lake. Today I contacted our HOA for answers, and they told me that the snapping turtles killed them. I don't believe this even though I know snapping turtles can do harm to ducks, but can they completely take heads off? And especially off a Muscovy who are not small ducks? I think it was human cruelty but Hoa won't admit it.
Any input on this turtle possibility?

 

[sourland]

Since they were found floating, it may very well be humans, but many predators kill by removing the eggs - GHO being a prime example.

Duh, I should preview my posts - many predators kill by removing 'the heads'. Several years ago in Central park they were finding decapitated ducks. Thought was that either a deranged individual or a 'satanic cult' was responsible. Turned out to be a Great Horned Owl.

 

[duckmanjim]

Raccoons will kill ducks, not eat them, just decapitate them!

 

[sweetcaroline]

Raccoons will kill ducks, not eat them, just decapitate them!

...

Raccoons will kill ducks, not eat them, just decapitate them![/quote

I guess it's a possibility
But here in Las Vegas we have very few predators, coyotes and hawks mostly.
Thanks for thoughts on this

 

[sourland]

I'm still betting on a GHO. Please read my edited post. Only thing that throws me off is the fact that the bodies were floating in the lake.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm still betting on a GHO. Please read my edited post. Only thing that throws me off is the fact that the bodies were floating in the lake.

Wouldn't the owl take the duck after killing it and carry it off and eat it ? and snapping turtles eat duck too not just decapitate them. I don't think a raccoon would swim out into the water just to decapitate the ducks either.

 

[sweetcaroline]

...

Since they were found floating, it may very well be humans, but many predators kill by removing the eggs - GHO being a prime example.

Duh, I should preview my posts - many predators kill by removing 'the heads'.  Several years ago in Central park they were finding decapitated ducks.  Thought was that either a deranged individual or a 'satanic cult' was responsible.  Turned out to be a Great Horned Owl.
[/quote

But we don't have owls or raccoons here
Well none I've ever seen, just hawks and coyotes, and coyotes take them and eat them. It's a mystery I just hope it's not human cruelty.
Thanks for your insight on this.

 

[DucksAndGardens]

Weasels will take the heads too.