guess what i picked up at the family reunion!
- Thread starter mudskipper
- Start date
wow u guys make taking car of a snapping turtle a real project..when its not really that hard...its not like its a frt or mata mata...
go to home depot...get a rubber maid container like 50 gallons fill it up about 4 inches or so....go to petco grab a fluval 4 add that to the tank..id put in a heater like 50 watts set the temp to about 60 degrees or so...dont add gravel..u can put a small log so he can rest on it when he wants...grab a heat lamp say around 75 watts..and a uvb/uva bulb later on if u cant get it now he isnt gonna die..thats all you need..feed it like turtle pellets, or even cichlid pellets are fine...fish slices are good..and just go to ur local lake and catch some crayfish and sunfish..freeze the sunny's and ull have food for a while..simple easy ....
go to home depot...get a rubber maid container like 50 gallons fill it up about 4 inches or so....go to petco grab a fluval 4 add that to the tank..id put in a heater like 50 watts set the temp to about 60 degrees or so...dont add gravel..u can put a small log so he can rest on it when he wants...grab a heat lamp say around 75 watts..and a uvb/uva bulb later on if u cant get it now he isnt gonna die..thats all you need..feed it like turtle pellets, or even cichlid pellets are fine...fish slices are good..and just go to ur local lake and catch some crayfish and sunfish..freeze the sunny's and ull have food for a while..simple easy ....
I think the problem is that most of us don't really like people who impulse buy or grab specimen without preparing for them. It take a long time for improper care to show up in herptiles, and usually by them the damage is sometimes irreversable.
This is the way I see it. If you want to keep him and are prepared to provide, thats great. Just get him into something bigger soon. Not only because he just flat out needs more room but because you can not provide the right temp gradient in a 10 gallon tank. Try the rubbermaid stock tubs like others suggested. Feed him anything and everything that is live and you can get from a pesticide free place. IE LFS or petshop. Mine eats crickets, superworms, earthworms, frogs, tadpoles, live fish, chopped fish, krill, live shrimp, previously frozen shrimp, wax worms, snails and countless other things. I would avoid dog and cat food though as these foods can cause renal/ kidney problems with long term use. Preservatives and so forth are not good for the turtle. I would also avoid any commercial turtle diet or fish pellet as a staple. Check out some frozen fish foods. Also try live ghost shrimp, crayfish and occasionally pinkie mice if you feel like it. Just research these guys as much as you can and do what you think is best. PM me with any questions. I've been keeping these guys for about 7 years so I've learned a thing or two. Also, try not to get nabbed, it's no fun. And most of all, enjoy your new pet and post up some pics!
Also, to everyone badgering about him catching it, honestly it's better than buying one and supporting the commercialization of living creatures if you ask me. Although I can't say much as I do buy fish. He could have gone out and bought one wild caught from someone who catches and ships in mass quantities with complete disregard to how they are handled and cared for further supporting the inhumane treatment most reptiles receive.
Also, to everyone badgering about him catching it, honestly it's better than buying one and supporting the commercialization of living creatures if you ask me. Although I can't say much as I do buy fish. He could have gone out and bought one wild caught from someone who catches and ships in mass quantities with complete disregard to how they are handled and cared for further supporting the inhumane treatment most reptiles receive.
Very true. The only herptile I have that I bought (the rest are rescues) is my baby sulcatta from Bay Area Reptiles. Cute little guy, just couldn't resist him.davo;942637; said:
santoury;941697; said:
thanx. ill try to send u a pic of the shrimp hes on, and see what u think
snapping turtles are very easy to care for. just get all the required equipment and you will be fine. as i said before he will need uv lighting,a very warm basking spot, clean water, and food you are golden. also like everyone else said...they are a truly mean animal. watch yourself.
if you need any further insight feel free to pm me also.
if you need any further insight feel free to pm me also.
I just want to put my input in this. Firstly I dont agree with wild caught anything but I wanna know what right you think you have taking an animal who has alot of space in the wild.. then dumping it in a 10 gallon?This animal was not in danger (if there were truely others living there like you said) and just because it is not endangered does not give you the right to take an animal you obiously can't care for (at least till you have more money to buy the ideal supplies!) What are you going to do when this thing gets too big for any tank? You gonna have the money to run a pond? And don't be thinking you can just realise it when it gets to big.. anything can upset the balance of nature in an area.. and I belive this will. Not only will he be used to having food (dead might I add) thrown infront of him, he wont be used to interaction with other turtles, predators etc. You really can't just throw him back where you found him once you've 'acclimatised' him, and you can't load him off on your teacher for three reasons 1) would your teacher have the pond and accessories to keep this animal? 2) does your teacher actually WANT to keep it and KNOW about you loading it off when its too big? and 3) its just downright irresponsible, and anybody showing these traits and attitudes IMO shouldn't keep a snail! Nobody would have had a go at you about this, if you had left it there, got your supplies THEN took it home (when I think they're being pretty reasonable about the whole WC thing). Just my opinion, sorry if it offends. 
