--- title: "Internet Stunned by Colossal “Chonkasaurus” Turtle Spotted in River" description: "During what would have otherwise been a normal Chicago River kayaking trip, a local spotted something incredible — a giant snapping turtle." date: "2023-05-12" modified: "2023-05-12" authors: - name: "Noor Al-Sibai" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/nooralsibai" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/chonkasaurus-turtle" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "chicago" - "the digest" - "turtle" --- # Internet Stunned by Colossal “Chonkasaurus” Turtle Spotted in River ![During what would have otherwise been a normal Chicago River kayaking trip, a local spotted something incredible — a giant snapping turtle.]() *\Image: Joey Santore\* ## This Guy! During what would have otherwise been a normal kayaking trip, podcaster and hobby botanist Joey Santore spotted something incredible on the Chicago River — an absolutely massive snapping turtle enjoying the day. Last week, Santore [posted a video to Twitter]() of the "Chicago River Snapper aka Chonkasaurus," providing a running commentary of the encounter as he filmed. "Look at this guy!" Santore exclaimed. "Look at the size of that fucking thing!" The podcaster [told local news radio station *WBBM*]() that he thinks the specimen weighs at least 60 pounds. "Hey, how ya doing guy?" Santore continued in his thick Chicago accent. "You look good." https://twitter.com/JoeySantore/status/1654856551159455744 ## Carry On In an interview with [local TV station *WGN-TV*](), Santore conceded that the giant turtle was likely not a "guy" at all, but was more likely a pregnant female. "In a way, it was posed so eloquently with the rusty chains," he told the broadcaster. "It was like an art piece." The uniqueness and beauty of the situation were not lost on Chris Anchor, a wildlife biologist with Cook County's Forest Preserve District who [told the *Associated Press*]() that it's rare to see a snapping turtle out in the open like that, especially considering its size. "My guess is that this animal had crawled out of the river to try and gather as much heat as it could in the sunshine," Anchor said, estimating it to be around 40 or 50 years old. However, as cool as the sighting was, the wildlife specialist warned not to get too close to a snapping turtle like "Chonkasaurus." "Turtles this big will consume anything they can get their mouth around," Anchor said. "Enjoy it. Leave it alone." **More on animals:** [*Strange Creature Appears at Historic Rocket Launch*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've often been drawn to unpacking the narratives that underlie technological, scientific and medical progress, with a special interest in areas of conflict and ambiguity that end up setting agendas and steering the fates of both elites and the hoi polloi. I'm a committed generalist, but I often find myself returning to work involving NASA and the private space sector, the effects of AI on media and society, and the mechanics of the pharmaceutical industry, with a specific focus on the spread of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Prior to Futurism, I worked for publications ranging from Media Matters and Truthdig to Raw Story and Bustle. I'm also the author of "Myspace Scene Queens," a 2024 title in Instar Books' acclaimed "Remember the Internet" series. My work at Futurism has been cited by outlets including the New Yorker, Slate, Nieman Lab, the Verge, the MIT Technology Review, the Sunday Times, and the Daily Beast. I grew up in North Carolina, attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and now live in Brooklyn, New York. In my free time, I'm an avid reader and music fan; you can probably find me at a local poetry reading, concert, underground rave, or DJ set. I'm the proud parent of an ineffable orange cat named Mee-Mow. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()