Turtlesinger, Inc.


is a Federal 501(c)3 Public Charity - New Jersey Charities Registration # CH2998200
Mission Statement: To educate and entertain the public about turtles with original songs and/or live turtles.



July 1, 2020



Happy Birthday, Spike!



To get here today, you saw our beloved snapping turtle, Spike, when he was only 3 weeks old—and when his name was still Maxine! Today he is 15 years old. In the video on the left you can watch Spike playing a favorite game of his: riding his cooler lid!


Of all 4 Turtlesinger turtles, Spike is often the audience favorite. We’re happy about this because we think snapping turtles get a bad rap. Spike is a friendly, tame snapping turtle and never tries to bite us. That being said, always be cautious when helping WILD snapping turtles, who are afraid of you and react accordingly when feeling threatened.

For more about Spike, SCROLL DOWN…



July 1, 2020



Are turtles good climbers?



Where ‘ya going, Spike? Just last week, Spike decided to climb halfway up our 14-step outdoor steps while on a walk in our yard—guess he wanted to get a view from higher up! I held his smooth green tub below him to catch him if he fell—he’s good at climbing up, but not so good at climbing down, and after climbing a little higher, he did slip and fall gently enough just a few feet into the tub. Turtles are often excellent diggers (gopher tortoises can build 30-foot long tunnels) as well as climbers (you can find numerous Youtube videos of turtles climbing) AND swimmers (sea turtles navigate the oceans for thousands of miles)! Many years ago when I worked at the Cape May County Zoo, I watched a full-grown snapping turtle methodically climb a 12-foot chain link fence there, duck under the coiled barbed wire at the top, drop to the grass below: and simply walk away!


For more Spike footage, SCROLL DOWN…



July 1, 2020



Get ready to hear my "Snapping Turtle Blues" song!



One more fun fact about Spike: we timed him recently--while he was eating underwater--to see how long he can hold his breath: and he was under the water for 17 to 18 minutes! Happy Birthday, Spike: you’re awesome!!


Only a year ago I sang a new song I wrote called Snapping Turtle Blues (lyrics below) at the annual Sara the Turtle Festival in Sea Isle City (with guitarist Emmitt Herron accompanying me). We’re ending Spike’s Birthday Blog today with a video celebration of a wild snapping turtle, snapping turtles wrestling, and Spike strolling around our yard! We hope you enjoy listening to the live recording of the song at the festival last year. Thanks as always for reading!



Snapping Turtle Blues
© Karen Buckley,
The Turtlesinger



They don’t care about anything you think--maybe the thing they need is a drink
They’re just doin’ what snappers do: you gotta try and see it from their point of view!

When you try to help them they may say back off, I’m just fine
You wanna give ‘em some respect if they dare you to cross that line!
It’s not always easy but we thank you for giving snappers your time!

They don’t care about anything you think--maybe the thing they need is a drink
They’re just doin’ what snappers do: you gotta try and see it from their point of view!

They’re just packin’ their bags for a turtle trip
And you wanna be careful if you help them with a grip:
Watch out they’re scared and they might try and give you a nip!

Snappers lived on earth before the dinosaurs
They were here first: It’s their home just as much as its mine or yours
Give them some right of way it can be hard on all fours

Sorry they’re big and they may put up such a fight
Sometimes they’re too scared to be nice but we wanta treat ‘em right
Help them before you drive on outta sight

Watch for snapping turtles when you step on the gas
Sometimes you can just stop your car and let the snapper pass
Helping a snapping turtle shows you’ve got real class!

Watch for a snapper crossing the road--sometimes their size is a heavy load
They’re just doin’ what snappers do:

They may be scary but they’re more scared of you and

They don’t care about anything you think: maybe the thing they need is a drink
They’re just doin’ what snappers do: you gotta try and see it from their point of view!
You gotta try and see it from their point of view!





Contact Us:



turtlesinger@hotmail.com | Phone: (609) 205-9248