WNJ Swamp Sightings: Searching for Snapping Turtles in the Dismal Swamp


Naturalist Johnny Shersick holding up a snapping turtle.

Metuchen-based naturalist Johnny Shersick has been exploring the Dismal Swamp Conservation Area for decades, and it's doubtful anyone knows its wetlands and swamps as closely as he does.  Wild New Jersey's David Wheeler joined Shersick and Edison Wetlands Association on a tour of "The Diz" in South Plainfield recently, and Shersick lived up to his reputation for tracking its inhabitants.  Shersick reached into a wetland and surfaced with a medium-sized snapping turtle - but one with a powerful bite. Other findings along the way included a baby snapping turtle,green and great blue herons, and two beavers.

 
Baby snapping turtle found in "The Diz".


"The Diz" in July.

All photos courtesy of Dana Patterson and Melanie Worob, Edison Wetlands Association

Click here for WNJ's previous Swamp Sighting: Egrets and Herons at Turtle Pond

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Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 11/13/2009 12:00 PM
Categories: WNJ Exclusives,Dismal Swamp
Tags: edison wetlands association herons snapping turtle dismal swamp beavers
 

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