By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

A crowd of all ages gathered at Sternberg Museum of Natural History Friday morning to see something not normally seen in Hays — an huge alligator snapping turtle getting a bath.

Museum staff were not sure how Levi would react to the bath, as he has not been out of his tank since the museum first got him more than two years ago.

Bystanders did not feel Levi particularly enjoyed the bath as he kept his jaws wide open much of time, which is a common defensive stance alligator snapping turtles take when they feel threatened.

“He’s angry about all the stuff and everyone being around,” said Deegan Leeds, 9, Hays.

Leeds said the experience was  “cool” — a sentiment echoed by many people watching the event.

“It is kind of neat when (the kids) can  see critters that they would not normally see out here up close and personal, ” said Beau Dealy, Hays, who brought along his daughter, Kiera, to the event.

Levi did eventually calm down as he grew used to the new sights and smells outside his tank. He was returned to his home tank, which also was cleaned, Friday evening.

Levi is estimated to be between 75 and 100 years old and was named after George Sternberg’s brother, Levi Sternberg.