Meet “Doug the Tank,” the 33-Pound Turtle Rescued From Lake Michigan

Quick Take

• Snapping turtles live in freshwater, so what was one doing stranded and in Lake Michigan? See why this was unusual →
• If you spot a stranded snapping turtle, the instinct most people act on is exactly the wrong move. Find out what to do instead →
• Veterinarians ran a battery of tests on Doug the turtle. See Doug's treatment details →

Earlier this month, residents of Grand Haven, Michigan, were treated to an unexpected sight: a giant, 33-pound snapping turtle wandering up and down the shore of Lake Michigan. By the time rescuers found the turtle, he was past the point of exhaustion. Luckily, this turtle is getting a new lease on life thanks to the Michigan & Reptile Sanctuary.

Snapping turtles are a relatively rare sight on the chilly shores of Lake Michigan, but there he was. A photo capturing the turtle’s feisty facial expression was all it took to spark attention online. Meet Doug the Tank, a 33-pound snapping turtle that nearly died along the shoreline.

An Uncommon Sight

In mid-April, rescuers from the Michigan Amphibian & Reptile Sanctuary descended on the shores of Lake Michigan. They were there to rescue a large snapping turtle, which they found in a nearly unresponsive condition when they pulled it out of the surf in Grand Haven.

Weighing 33 pounds and estimated to be around thirty years old, the snapping turtle was named Doug the Tank. When the calls first came in, witnesses said they had spotted Doug walking up and down the beach for several days.

Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) are freshwater specialists. However, they prefer shallow, muddy-bottomed water sources—a stark contrast to Lake Michigan, which is much colder than inland ponds and has waves too strong for a snapping turtle to handle. No wonder Doug was so tired when rescuers found him.

Safe and Sound

After finding him lethargic and nearly unresponsive, rescuers took him to the Paw Paw Veterinary Clinic, where he received ultrasound tests, X-rays, bloodwork, and even a float test. Although his results looked good, Doug will remain at the reptile sanctuary for 30 days of additional monitoring to be safe.

Once the observation period is complete and he receives a clean bill of health, Doug the Tank will be released. They plan to take him back into a habitat more attuned to his needs, but not too far from where he was rescued. In the meantime, he will be resting up at the Michigan Amphibian & Reptile Sanctuary in Kalamazoo.

Handling Snapping Turtles

Considering Doug’s story, it’s important to know what to do if you happen to run into a stranded snapping turtle. For one, snapping turtles are usually quite defensive on land, so you should always approach them with caution. Their necks, despite being half-encased in their shells, can reach back across and bite. Plus, most of them can carry Salmonella, making an infection from a bite even more likely.

If you encounter an injured or lost snapping turtle, the safest course of action is to observe from a distance and contact professionals who have the proper equipment for handling and relocating the turtle. Above all, watch out for that snapping bite!