Local South Dakota Clinic & Good Samaritan Saves Snapping Turtle

A South Dakota snapping turtle is recovering from a gruesome injury, and he has a local bystander to thank for saving his life.

A local "Good Samaritan client" and South Central Veterinary Clinic in Sioux Falls teamed up to find the best possible care in South Dakota for an injured snapping turtle. The Good Samaritan is this snapping turtle's Guardian Angel for stopping and helping him.

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Do Snapping Turtles Live in South Dakota?

Snapping Turtles are commonly found in South Dakota. According to Amphibians and Reptiles of South Dakota, they can be found in bodies of water like wetlands, lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, and even occasional ditches.

The species of Snapping Turtles found in South Dakota is the "common snapping turtle" (or known as Chelydra serpentina). These snapping turtles are considered dangerous and big. They can be anywhere between 8-14 inches long.

In a shocking Facebook post from South Central Veterinary Clinic, the staff were searching for help after one of their clients brought in an injured snapping turtle.

Staff at the South Central Veterinary Clinic explained that this turtle needed surgery. Here's the problem...none of the vets at South Central Veterinary Clinic can perform this operation. They need to transfer this snapping turtle all the way to Pierre, South Dakota.

A Good Samaritan client of ours brought in an injured snapping turtle in need of surgery and the only vet certified to perform this works in Pierre. The sooner, the better.

The only veterinarian in South Dakota who is certified in wildlife rehabilitation is Dr. Virginia Trexler-Myren at the All Creatures Animal Hospital. On Dr. Virginia Trexler-Myren's LinkedIn page, she specializes in emergency and internal medicine, surgery, small animals, exotic, and wildlife.

The snapping turtle is recovering and will remain at the All Creatures Animal Hospital until its wounds are healed. Eventually, he will be released into the wild.

Nice job, team!

10 Deadliest Creatures in US: South Dakota Has Lots of Them

The deadliest animal in the U.S. isn’t the alligator or bear or even the mighty shark. In fact, the answer may surprise you.

It may also surprise you how many of these creatures can be found in South Dakota.

Here's the top 10:

11 Things You’ll Only Understand After Living in South Dakota

From soda to pop to sloppy Joes, different parts of the country have their local quirks and language. Simple phrases can have totally different meanings, local events may seem weird, and food may go by a unique name.

If you're new to South Dakota, here is a sort of translation guide for some odd things you may see or hear.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns