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Plump Chicago Snapping Turtle Earns Viral Glory As ‘Chonkosaurus’

"Look at that beast. Hey, how ya doing guy? You look good. You’re healthy.”” Joey Satore said in a now viral Twitter video.
AP

CHICAGO (AP) — Footage of a plump snapping turtle relaxing along a Chicago waterway has gone viral after the man who filmed the well-fed reptile marveled at its size and nicknamed it “Chonkosaurus.”

Joey Santore was kayaking with a friend along the Chicago River last weekend when they spotted the large snapping turtle sitting atop a large chain draped over what appear to be rotting logs.

He posted a jumpy video of the turtle on Twitter, labeling it the “Chicago River Snapper aka Chonkosaurus.”

In the video, Santore can be heard sounding stunned by the size of the turtle, which was displaying folds of flesh extending well beyond its shell.

“Look at this guy. We got a picture of this most beautiful sight. Look at the size of that ... thing,” he says, using an expletive. “Look at that beast. Hey, how ya doing guy? You look good. You’re healthy.”

Chris Anchor, the chief wildlife biologist with Forest Preserves of Cook County, said the snapping turtle Santore filmed is quite rare, considering its apparent size. He said it’s also unusual for the reptiles to be seen basking along rivers, but it probably recently emerged from hibernation.

“So my guess is that this animal had crawled out of the river to try and gather as much heat as it could in the sunshine,” Anchor told WMAQ-TV.

While it’s difficult to determine exactly how large the turtle is from the video alone, Anchor called it “a very large individual.” And he noted that snapping turtles are not picky eaters.

“Turtles this big will consume anything they can get their mouth around,” he said, adding that anyone encountering a snapping turtle should not disturb it or try to catch it.

“Enjoy it. Leave it alone,” Anchor said.

___

This story has been edited to correct the name of Anchor’s district: Forest Preserves of Cook County.

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Before You Go

Healthiest And Most Endangered Turtles
The 12 Healthiest Sea Turtle Populations(01 of23)
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The World's 12 Healthiest Sea Turtle Populations"Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© Conservation International)
Loggerhead Turtles, Northwest Indian Ocean(02 of23)
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Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), Northwest Indian Ocean (key nesting site: Oman)Despite being the largest loggerhead nesting population in the world, monitoring efforts have become consistent only recently, which means that we still know relatively little about this population. Threats from fisheries bycatch appear to be severe, but the sheer abundance of nesting loggerheads in this region seems to have the upper hand for now."Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© Nicolas Pilcher)
Green Turtles, Southeast Indian Ocean(03 of23)
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Green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Southeast Indian Ocean (key nesting site: Australia)Although they haven't been monitored for long, these green turtles are abundant and fairly isolated. They nest along the rugged and remote coast of Western Australia, and although consumption of eggs and turtles by humans poses a threat to them on beaches and in the water, the chances are good that these turtles will be around for a while."Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© Kellie Pendoley)
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Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), Southeast Indian Ocean (key nesting site: Australia)Like green turtles in this region, nesting in isolated places gives these hawksbills an advantage that allows them to thrive. Although monitoring has only been occurring in recent years, threats to this population appear mild, making its future bright."Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© Kellie Pendoley)
Hawksbill Turtles, Southwest Indian Ocean(05 of23)
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Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), Southwest Indian Ocean (key nesting sites: Seychelles; British and French overseas territories)Unlike their cousins in other parts of the world, these hawksbills benefit from solid long-term monitoring and good protection at major nesting sites and in their coral reef habitats. As with all hawksbills, exploitation of their shells for handicrafts and jewelry is a constant threat, and although this population is historically depleted as a result, it is healthy and recovering at present."Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© David Doubilet)
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Green Turtles, Southwest Atlantic Ocean(07 of23)
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Green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Southwest Atlantic Ocean (key nesting site: Brazil)Once depleted due to extensive consumption of eggs and meat as well as accidental capture in fisheries, green turtles are on the rise in this region thanks to long-term, collaborative conservation efforts."Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© Projeto Tamar - Brazil - Image bank)
Leatherback Turtles, Northwest Atlantic Ocean(08 of23)
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Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), Northwest Atlantic Ocean (key nesting sites: Trinidad; Guyana; French Guiana; Suriname; Costa Rica; Panama)With the exception of the declining nesting colony in Costa Rica and Panama, leatherbacks are thriving throughout the Caribbean and North Atlantic. Maintaining beach protection and addressing bycatch issues will be critical to their future."Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© Brian J. Hutchinson)
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Olive Ridley Turtles, East Pacific Ocean(10 of23)
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Green Turtles, South Central Pacific Ocean(11 of23)
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The Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations(13 of23)
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Olive Ridley Turtles, Northeast Indian Ocean(15 of23)
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Olive Ridley Turtles, West Indian Ocean(16 of23)
Open Image Modal
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Hawksbill Turtles, East Pacific Ocean(19 of23)
Open Image Modal
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Olive Ridley Turtles, Northeast Indian Ocean(20 of23)
Open Image Modal
Olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), Northeast Indian Ocean (key nesting sites: India)Given the massive numbers of olive ridleys that nest in a few places in India each year, it might seem hard to believe that these olive ridleys are among the most endangered populations in the world. However, due to extremely intense pressures from trawl bycatch and consumption of turtle eggs and meat, the seemingly abundant ridleys have declined dramatically region-wide - both at mass nesting sites as well as beaches where turtles nest in smaller numbers. More recently, development of major shipping ports along the coast of India has become a major cause of concern for these populations. "Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© Kartik Shanker)
Loggerhead Turtles, Northeast Indian Ocean(21 of23)
Open Image Modal
Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), Northeast Atlantic Ocean (key nesting sites: Cape Verde)Although relatively abundant, Cape Verde loggerheads have a limited distribution, and have been threatened for decades by consumption of meat and eggs, as well as bycatch in Cape Verde and in feeding areas along the African mainland coast."Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© Joana Hancock)
Loggerhead Turtles, North Pacific Ocean(22 of23)
Open Image Modal
Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), North Pacific Ocean (key nesting site: Japan)The trans-Pacific migrations of loggerheads between reproduction sites in Japan and feeding areas in Hawaii and Mexico are among the best known for ocean-going animals. However, bycatch throughout their range - especially in Japan and Mexico - coupled with coastal development at nesting sites in Japan, have caused this population to decline. International conservation efforts give hope for the future of loggerheads in this region."Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© Wallace J. Nichols)
Hawksbill Turtles, West Pacific Ocean(23 of23)
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Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), West Pacific Ocean (key nesting sites: Malaysia; Indonesia; Philippines)Hawksbills populations worldwide have declined due in large part to enormous demand for their beautiful shells, which provide 'tortoiseshell' material used to make highly valuable handicrafts and jewelry. This hawksbill population, in particular, has suffered greatly due to exploitation of their shell material. Although international trade of hawksbill products is illegal, it continues to be a major threat to hawksbills around the world, especially in this region. In addition, future climate change impacts could be another serious issue for this population."Turtles in Trouble: 11 Most Threatened Sea Turtle Populations in the World Identified" by Conservation International. (credit:© Jeff Yonover)
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