Giant alligator snapping turtle blocks early morning traffic in Houston

Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Houston police responded to the middle of a road early Tuesday remove a massive alligator snapping turtle seen blocking traffic.

Police posted a photo to Twitter showing the large alligator snapping turtle blocking a portion of Memorial Dr. after they were called to the road on a report of an animal in traffic about 4 a.m. Tuesday.

Officers closed two westbound lanes of the road while SPCA rescuers were summoned to the scene.

The animal rescuers estimated the gargantuan reptile was between 70 and 100 years old.

The SPCA said the turtle was the most unusual animal they have been called to rescue since Hurricane Harvey swept through the area.

The heavy turtle was relocated to a safer area and the road was reopened, police said.