It's a baby alligator snapping turtle, which is a protected species. They have enough trouble with everyone trying to eat them, no real need to harass them.
Fake. The strike dynamics are all off. I keep and breed snakes and specialize in venomous, but keep a few large snakes and have worked with a few over 20 ft.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31653866&l=c0ae2&id=70304535