Predator vs Cayuga Drake mid day on pond

[Goat_Walker]

do you have any pics of that sucker?

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Lol it is funny you ask (about eating turtle) , there is a thread on the recipe section of BYC that is discussing turtle soup. here is the link to that thread : https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=205264&p=2

 

[troy5775]

Hope the turtle was the culprit, I have heard of otters killing ducks before, don't know if they are in your area or not.

 

[imfowl]

M uskrats? I assumme you are talking about nutria rats. They are vegitarians, and minks will not attack in the water. Sounds like a gator. I have already killed three in my pond this spring. The best thing to do is get rid of them. They are a nuisance

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
You did see that the poster was in Iowa? Some how I doubt that gators are a problem there. Nutria might be there due to global warming but it is much more likely to have muskrats. In any case since he reports catching a large snapping turtle I tend to think that was the cause rather than Southern exotics.

 

[TwoMileRanch]

Again, thanks all for your help. A friend was commenting on the power of the "Internet" and I said it's the power of the people (like you all). From a duck attack to a possible answer in under an hour -- to a possible solution and a captured predator in less than 8 hours.

You are all amazing, thank you.

Imfowl, thanks, you helped me answer a question, because I read conflicting things about muskrat diets. I know animals in some parts of the country have different names. For instance, chipmunks are called "squinties" around some part of Iowa. Any way, I looked up Nutria Rat and Muskrat...and Nutria Rat and the Muskrat are different critters. The Muskrat from around here is omnivorous and leaves a characteristic "musk" scent. The Nutria rat looks about the same size and features, but different animals.

It is good to know minks typically don't attack in water.

For those curious, here are links to two cell phone photos , one of the upside down turtle and another of its claw span. Its dead, but no obvious trauma in the photos.

http://www.smallfarmlife.com/wp-content/uploads/photo_062709_002.jpg (turtle)

http://www.smallfarmlife.com/wp-content/uploads/photo_062709_004.jpg (claw)

The other two lines are still baited, but caught nothing overnight.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:

 

[TwoMileRanch]

This seems to suggest to me that mink DO ATTACK IN WATER, since there are few fish on dry land. LOLF

joke is on me...I guess if they do attack fish on dry land, I need a padlock for my freezer!

I've decided that snapping turtles are just raccoons in bullet proof vests!​

 

[twinwillows1215]

My ducks got scared off the pond the other day and I'm thinking it might be a snapping turtle. Just curious, how did you set up the lines?

 

[dipence71]

So Sorry to hear about you baby. WOW that is a big turtle. My DH has butchered 2 in the last few weeks. (caught by other people and given to him).