New fairway hazard

This is a snapping turtle, a native freshwater species to Maryland. It can live 40+ years and weigh up to 40kg. Its tail is as long as its shell. Mature ones remind me of dinosaurs: their front legs are short as their back ones longer, with the trailing tail.

They are also quite aggressive and could snap your finger right off, so swimming with them is not recommended! This one was ambling back to the larger of two ponds on the front of the golf course and paid us no mind.