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Announcements: Call FWC for issues with alligators
July 12th, 2012

City News: Water Distribution Notice
July 12th, 2012

City News: AN UPDATE ON THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY FOR CEDAR KEY
July 11th, 2012

Announcements: Clam Farmers Return from Washington DC Visit
July 11th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: A Reply to the "Letter to the Editor - Stand Your Ground"
July 10th, 2012

Law Enforcement News: Levy County Arrest Report 7/09/2012
July 10th, 2012

Law Enforcement News: Levy County Most Wanted 7-10-12
July 10th, 2012

new: Water Management Districts and Proposed Land Sales
July 9th, 2012

Announcements: Cedar Key Lions Pitch in to Distribute Safe Water.
July 9th, 2012

Features: Old General
July 8th, 2012

Features: Trouble`s in Cedar Key
July 8th, 2012

Conservation: Issues with Good Ideas and Water
July 7th, 2012

Announcements: 2 bowhunting classes offered
July 7th, 2012

Announcements: Urgent Care Dental Bus in Cedar Key
July 6th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS CEDAR KEY PATRIOTIC VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT.
July 5th, 2012

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Andy Bair - Hotelier? Or Snapping Turtle Handler?

Andy Bair - Hotelier? Or Snapping Turtle Handler?

Ada Lang

The man who appears to be the mild-mannered Island Hotel owner, by night, was recently out on the Suwannee River with FWC staff as they monitored traps set to capture snapping turtles.
The turtles are fresh-water creatures and the reasearch took place several miles north of Fowler`s Bluff. Mesh traps are baited with smelly fish chum and the turtles swim in to have a snack but can`t swim back out. This monster weighed about 100 pounds and according to Bair, "his head was as big as a football and he had bear claws!"

He went on to say that this variety of snapping turtle is different from your garden-variety, pond-dwelling snapping turtles because these do not have the long flexible neck that allows them to reach around and take off a finger or two. Not that this big guy didn`t try.


Normally FWC traps and releases about 6 moderate-sized snappers on any given visit to the traps, but this trip, this giant male was the only one they found. After tagging and documenting data, the animals are released back into the water.

Bair added that apparently, these snappers like to submerge themselves underwater and wait around with their mouths open for unsuspecting fish to swim by. They have a "worm-like" piece of skin that hangs out their mouths --- well, like a worm --- and judging by the size of this turtle, they are quite successful hunters.

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