06/02/2026
It is National Dinosaur Day, and we would have loved to feature a real dinosaur today, but our options were limited...
Perfect timing, though, for this snapping turtle (and another one!) crossing Dr. Hebert’s lawn this past weekend, most likely heading back toward the cranberry bog after laying eggs.
Looking at the tail of this turtle, it certainly reminded us of a Dinosaur!
If you’ve ever wondered which animals are the direct descendants of dinosaurs, the top answer is actually birds! They are considered 'modern dinosaurs'. Beyond birds, the closest living relatives to dinosaurs are crocodiles and alligators, which are part of the Archosaur group. And then there is the group of 'evolutionary contemporaries'. These reptiles evolved alongside dinosaurs, but they are not taxonomically classified as dinosaurs. Any guesses? That’s right: turtles and tortoises!
So maybe featuring a snapping turtle for National Dinosaur Day isn’t that far-fetched after all.
