‘Look at that beast.’ Giant snapping turtle called ‘Chonkosaurus’ spotted in Illinois

A giant snapping turtle with the appropriate nickname “Chonkosaurus” was spotted basking in the sun on the Chicago River.

Its size — along with the colorful commentary from Joey Cantore — has led to the creature going viral on Twitter.

Santore, who shared the video to Twitter on Saturday, May 6, said the turtle was “thriving.”

“Look at that beast,” Santore is heard saying in the video as the turtle rests on rocks and chains. “Hey, how you doing, guy? You look good. You’re healthy.”

The video has amassed more than half a million views as of Thursday, May 11.

Due to the size of the turtle, Santore suggested in the video that it have some liquid salad.

“Somebody planted a bunch of native plants up the river from here, too,” Santore said in the Twitter post. “I can only wonder what this thing’s been eating.”

Santore estimates the female giant snapping turtle was at least 60 pounds, he told WBBM.

The “very old turtle” is believed to be 40 to 50 years old, wildlife biologist Chris Anchor told WBBM.

Snapping turtles are found throughout Illinois, but they’re not often seen above water, according to Friends of the Chicago River. Instead, the creatures spend most of their time at the bottom of water waiting for prey.”

“You see something like that, and it feels pretty good, especially what has been historically such a polluted and toxic place,” Santore told Patch. “I’m very familiar with the Chicago River, I’ve spent a lot of time around it, I’ve smelled it — I’ve known that smell since I was a kid — but it was remarkable just to see this thing apparently very healthy.”

This story was originally published May 11, 2023 at 9:14 AM with the headline "‘Look at that beast.’ Giant snapping turtle called ‘Chonkosaurus’ spotted in Illinois."