By: Elin Barton

For a centenarian, Hoss doesn’t look half bad. A few wrinkles, perhaps; a slowing of the gait certainly, but Hoss does have a kind of dignity that one gains from a long and reflective life. Born long before the first freeway was built in LA, and weighing in somewhere between 120 and 150 pounds, this hundred-year-old alligator snapping turtle is a tangible link to the past.

Alligator Snapping Turtle

In various native cultures, turtles symbolize, among other things, longevity, good luck, and steady determination. Desert tortoises, Hoss’ land-loving relatives, can live to be 300 years old or more, and scientists estimate the lifespan of the alligator snapping turtle to be in the neighborhood of 150 years.

Hoss is a long time resident of the Wildlife Waystation, and according to founder Martine Colette, he will be there for the rest of his days, even if he lives another 50 years or more. The Waystation receives many turtles, tortoises, and reptiles from well-meaning pet owners who never learned to care properly for their pets, or who never realized how long these animals can live. "An animal like this is a long-term commitment," she said. "We get so many turtles and tortoises that got out of someone’s yard, got hit by a car, and need shell repair. We also see the effects of animals that aren’t fed the right foods, or animals that outgrow their owners."

Hoss came to the Waystation from the American Zoological Society in Lancaster. There his large size, incredibly strong jaws, and neck that extends an additional two feet beyond his 3-foot long body, made him a bad choice for their child-friendly enclosure.

The alligator snapping turtle is native to the Central and Southern United States where it prefers slow-moving rivers and brackish waters. Many fishermen in those regions are missing fingers because this iron-jawed turtle is so good at camouflaging itself along the water’s bottom.

Certain types of turtles and tortoises can make good pets, providing people are willing to give them a large enough terrarium, sunshine, and the proper temperature and food. Turtles can be kept in an outdoor pond as long as it is at least three feet deep and the turtles are allowed to acclimate to the water, preferably in late spring. Some types of turtles can carry salmonella, so anyone who handles these animals should remember to wash their hands afterwards.

Photo by Beverly Setlowe