‘Chonkosaurus’ is Chicago’s very own giant snapping turtle
Footage of this large snapping turtle, relaxing along the Chicago River, has gone viral. Joey Santore, who filmed the well-fed reptile, marveled at its size and nicknamed it “Chonkosaurus.”
Joey Santore/Distributed by the Associated Press
A video of a huge snapping turtle catching sunbeams along the Chicago River has gone viral after Chicagoan Joey Santore filmed and nicknamed it “Chonkosaurus” while out kayaking.
Everything about the video screams Chicago, from the previously polluted stream of water to Santore’s recognizable accent as he marvels at the turtle’s size.
“That’s a Chicago river snapper,” Santore’s friend comments from the background. “Are you kidding me?”
The sight comes as a surprise since snapping turtles are rarely seen in Chicago until June, if at all. Yet, they are more common than most know. Chonkosaurus or “Chonko,” known to its online fans, may be the first of many snapping turtles to emerge as more Chicagoans take to the river.
“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,” marine biologist Chris Anchor told NBC5.
Chicago River Snapper aka Chonkosaurus. Great to see this beast thriving here on what was once such a toxic river, but is slowly getting cleaned up & restored. Somebody planted a bunch of native plants up the river from here, too. I can only wonder this things been eating. pic.twitter.com/u6bhlpo4p5
— Joey Santore (@JoeySantore) May 6, 2023