Assistant museum director Michael Clough holds Basil, a snapping turtle, at the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum on Dec. 13, 2017 in Marlboro, Vt. The museum is seeking $5,500 for a custom-made tank for Basil. Clough says Basil came to the museum five years ago after he was raised as an illegal pet. While snapping turtles are known for their vicious bite, Clough says Basil is surprisingly friendly and unafraid of humans and dogs. The turtle has grown from 3 pounds to 12 pounds in the museum's care, and Clough says he is expected to eventually reach more than 30 pounds. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP)
Assistant museum director Michael Clough holds Basil, a snapping turtle, at the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum on Dec. 13, 2017 in Marlboro, Vt. The museum is seeking $5,500 for a custom-made tank for Basil. Clough says Basil came to the museum five years ago after he was raised as an illegal pet. While snapping turtles are known for their vicious bite, Clough says Basil is surprisingly friendly and unafraid of humans and dogs. The turtle has grown from 3 pounds to 12 pounds in the museum's care, and Clough says he is expected to eventually reach more than 30 pounds. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) Credit: The Brattleboro Reformer — Kristopher Radder

Marlboro, Vt. (ap) — A Vermont museum’s friendly snapping turtle has outgrown his tank, and officials are in search of a new one.

The Brattleboro Reformer reported that the staff at the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum in Marlboro is seeking $5,500 for a custom-made tank for Basil. Assistant museum director Michael Clough said Basil came to the museum five years ago after he was raised as an illegal pet. While snapping turtles are known for their vicious bite, Clough said Basil is surprisingly friendly and unafraid of humans and dogs.

The turtle has grown from 3 pounds to 12 pounds in the museum’s care, and Clough said he is expected eventually to reach more than 30 pounds.

Clough said the custom-made tank will allow Basil to freely swim around once he’s fully grown.