A mother and daughter saw a massive bear-like monster on the Mississippi River, turning a peaceful day of fishing into a terrifying experience.
Shala Holm and her daughter Avery were fishing in Brainerd, Minnesota, when an unexpected guest appeared. The sound of heavy breathing and the sensation of gigantic claws beneath their kayak broke their peaceful reverie.
However, before the imagination could travel into the realm of mythological aquatic monsters, the creature showed itself to be a snapping turtle, a prehistoric-looking reptile known for its fearsome bite and menacing demeanour.
The monster, which turned out to be a snapping turtle, had enormous bear claws. Credit: Penn News.
Shala recalled the heart-pounding moment when her daughter’s keen hearing detected the unmistakable sound of breathing originating from the water. As the curious couple gazed over the side of their kayak, they noticed a turtle’s nose moving smoothly towards them—a giant of a creature that grew larger with each passing instant.
The snapping turtle moved beneath the kayak with the agility of a survival instinct, grabbing the fishing basket with tenacity that shocked the pair. In the midst of their bewilderment, Shala assessed the creature’s size to be 29 inches across—a horrific sight that sent shivers down their spines.
Despite her initial worry, Shala marvelled at the creature’s sheer size and presence, although with a note of fear. Shala couldn’t help but worry about the turtle’s intentions as it clung to the fishing basket in a vice-like grip—would it attempt to breach the kayak in pursuit of its prey, or would it be satisfied with the fish caught within the basket?
With nerves tense and adrenaline flowing through their veins, the duo was able to release themselves from the turtle’s grip, heaving a sigh of relief as they fled the creature’s claws. Even as they paddled away to safety, the recollection of the experience stayed, imprinted on their thoughts like an indelible mark.
Following their frightening incident, Shala and Avery were pulled back to the location of their meeting, armed only with a camera and a feeling of curiosity. Having captured the gorgeous creature on film, they contacted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to learn more about their surprise guest.
Their inquiry provided astonishing results—the snapping turtle they found might be up to 15 years old, demonstrating its endurance and longevity in the environment. Despite her initial astonishment and concern, Shala expressed awe and admiration for the creature, with aspirations of experiencing it again in the future.
As they said their goodbyes to the Mississippi River, the memory of their meeting lingered—a tribute to the natural world’s raw force and grandeur, as well as a reminder of the deep bonds formed between people and the wildlife with whom we share this planet.
