American snapping turtle with bite 'like a car door' found at Welsh beauty spot

Snapping turtle with bite 'like trapping your hand in car door' found at beauty spot8 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleOliver SlowBBC WalesChris NewmanThe turtle was likely released by an "irresponsible owner" A snapping turtle with a bite that feels like "trapping your finger in a car door" has been found in a stream at a Welsh beauty spot.The turtle, which is native to North and Central America, was found at Penllegare Valley Woods, Swansea."They're not going to attack, but if you pick one up it will defend itself and likely bite – it would feel like trapping your hand in a car door," said Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, where the turtle was taken to after rescue.Newman said it was likely left there by an "irresponsible owner", stressing it is illegal to release non-native species into the wild because of the biodiversity impact.Newman said the centre often sees species of turtles released, but snapping turtles were a worry when it came to other wildlife. "They're predators – they take fish and frogs, but our biggest concern is that they feed on mammals," he said.Newman said it was particularly concerning for the native endangered water vole, which he described as the snapping turtle's "top snack".Once commonly found across Wales, water voles – living along waterways - have undergone significant decline and are listed as endangered due to threats from habitat loss and predators."It's really important to stress that it is illegal to release non-native species into the wild," said Newman, recommending that snapping turtles are always removed, something the centre can help with.Getty ImagesSnapping turtles are a particular risk to water volesHe also urged people not to try and capture snapping turtles themselves, saying they would likely try to defend themselves by biting."You're not going to lose a finger, but...