NORTHAMPTON — A snapping turtle bit on the finger of a 15-year-old boy for more than 20 minutes Tuesday evening before releasing it.
The finger was saved, but the turtle did leave behind a bite mark, Northampton Police said.
Police responded to a call in the area of 250 Cardinal Way at 5:12 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a 25-pound snapping turtle biting the teen’s finger. Police have not released the boy’s name.
According to police, the teen was fishing in the area off Burts Pit Road when he noticed the snapping turtle. The boy pointed his finger toward the turtle and it bit down, refusing to let go.
The turtle finally released its grip at 5:34 p.m., according to the officer’s report. More than 20 minutes passed from the time of the initial call to when the turtle released the boy’s finger, police said.
Police said the snapping turtle was quite bigger than a basketball.
An ambulance from the Northampton Fire Department responded to the scene, though it is unclear if the boy was taken to the hospital, police said.
The Massachusetts Environmental Police were contacted but did not respond, according to police.