Alligator Snapping Turtle

[Metalgearliquid2]

can alligator snapping turtles survive ny winters in an outdoor pond?

i know people who cant handle keeping them and i am planning on turning half of my backyard into a HUGE ravine pond to house them.
i am going to dig down three feet and create an underground fence made of steele plating then build a wire fence above ground to keep them from escaping.

this is a summer project and i am still preparing for it

the major thing i need to know is if they can survive the freezing weather

any info is much appreciated

 

[henrysusername]

That would be a awesome backyard

 

[Metalgearliquid2]

im so ready to just start it already haha i cant wait

 

[scotty1969]

short answer , Yes . if they have mud bottom to burry themselves

 

[Metalgearliquid2]

good


oh yea would i need to heat any of the water to keep it from freezing over?

 

[scotty1969]

no , they survive here ( indiana ) with no help . it gets pretty cold here this year we had some -0 temps

 

[Metalgearliquid2]

sounds great im going to start it as soon as possible

im still going through the legal stuff but i know ppl that always helps

its more or less a reptile rescue so this way i have a permit to keep them (their illegal to keep in NY)

thanks for your help ill end up posting pics when i start the project

 

[10ren]

Yes heat the water. When dealing with a pond the water doesn't flow and isn't as deep as a river. The top maybe frozen but the lower deep end isnt. Another note snappers like to bury them self's. They do this to hunt or just to hide.They dont bask as much as other turtles. My common snapper has never come out of the water. But its good to have a spot for them just in case

 

[snakeguy101]

no , they survive here ( indiana ) with no help . it gets pretty cold here this year we had some -0 temps

Are you talking about Ally Snappers or just commons, I didn't know they went up that far and I thought that ally snappers needed it warmer.

 

[Metalgearliquid2]

Yes heat the water. When dealing with a pond the water doesn't flow and isn't as deep as a river. The top maybe frozen but the lower deep end isnt. Another note snappers like to bury them self's. They do this to hunt or just to hide.They dont bask as much as other turtles. My common snapper has never come out of the water. But its good to have a spot for them just in case

i was thinking that i could even heat half of the water just so it doesnt freeze over