Meet ‘Chonkosaurus,’ the Chicago River’s massive, fat snapping turtle

Scoot over Chance the Snapper: There’s a new famous critter in town. Its name is “Chonkosaurus” and it likes to bask in the sun.
The massive snapping turtle was caught on camera by botanist Joey Santore as it lorded over a Chicago River pylon. In a widely shared video, the turtle suns itself as its fat, leathery legs burst beyond its shell.

[@paultoepfer5540]

It looks like he's lounging in a pile of sausages

[@vicbanks9079]

This is what happens to guys who run for Chicawga Mayor and lose.

[@ThrashTillDeth83]

Love that accent 😅😅 was Rodney Dangerfield from Chicago? Lol

[@pray4mojo35]

I prefer the deep dish shell on Chicago turtles rather than those thin shell turtles you see in New York.

[@PCH456469871278]

😂😂😂 so funny. Liquid salad 😂

[@jay-kq5kv]

That was somebody's pet

[@scottcarlini954]

Take that Galapagos islands. Yes Chicago’s native snappers can also surpass 100 years of age.

[@ttswsmusic]

Bowser is definitely a little chunky for a snapping turtle. You can see he is getting some fat rolls. But I'm no turtle expert. Haha

[@anthonymackey1761]

Biggest snapper I ever seen

[@SpotHuskford-yi1jf]

That’s some pork that turtle has.

[@viking4130]

That has to be the fattest northern Snapping Turtle I have ever seen. Guess eating former Mobsters has some benefits.

[@weeknders]

Nice shell. Does it come in your size?

[@SunSheepOfLight]

A fat turtle 🐢

[@stevetevin6504]

100% Chicago accent