Wildlife photographer Patrick Castleberry captured images of a titanic tussle between an eastern river cooter turtle and a 6-foot alligator in Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp. Surprise, surprise – the turtle won (in that it didn’t end up in the gator’s belly). After 15 minutes of trying to crack the turtle’s shell in its jaw, the gator finally gave up and went on its way in search of something a bit softer on the outside. Castleberry spoke with the U.K.’s Daily Mail about the confrontation. “It was definitely turtle one, alligator nil,” he said.
And we’re off. An alligator’s jaw is capable of thousands of pounds of pressure, but the turtle’s shell is up to the challenge. (Patrick Castleberry/ Caters)
Mama told us there’d be days like this. The upside-down turtle looks helpless as the alligator tries to take a bite. (Patrick Castleberry/ Caters)
The alligator must be wondering if this turtle is really worth the effort. (Patrick Castleberry/ Caters)
After a 15 minute struggle to crack the shell, the alligator moves on. Photographer Patrick Castleberry told the Daily Mail that he flipped the turtle over and it “scrambled into the water.” (Patrick Castleberry/ Caters)
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