Help me decide what is right and what is best..

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Red Devil

Red Devil

Nice to meet you and welcome to MFK
MFK Member
Feb 23, 2006
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I have a beautiful healthy almost 2 year old northern snapper.. i have had him since he was the size of a quarter.. i love this guy.. but as time goes by he has grown into a 9 inch snapping turtle.. and eventually he will be bigger of course.. i need to know if he can be released into the wild at this point after being in captivity..he has been fed consistant every other day a healthy varied diet.., always water changes etc..if he were to be released it would be across the street from me in a swampy beaver filled creek/pond where wild life is in abundance.. what is his chances for survival... not only in the wildlife dangers he will reckon with but also would he be in danger from lack of immunity towards disease etc.. i want only to release him for a better life not to put his life in jeopardy..I have heard so many contradictory statements..i would like to know the truth if anyone knows..thanks!:nilly:also just wanted to add that if we released him at this time of year he would have 5 months before the cold set in and it was time to hybernate..would instinct kick in with this also.. so many if's drives me crazy.. because he is not just a turtle but a loved pet.. but unfortunatly he is a growing snapping turtle.
 
wow don't know what I would do in this situation I think it would be better to not release him and to keep him but if that is a problem I would pay for him to be shipped to me where would be king of the 300 pond...
 
Nic;885897; said:
wow don't know what I would do in this situation I think it would be better to not release him and to keep him but if that is a problem I would pay for him to be shipped to me where would be king of the 300 pond...
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oh that is sweet Nic.. theres no problem as yet.. he is wonderful personality.. it is just spring and i was thinking if it would be better for him to be free??? I can only ponder this in spring because i would not concider releasing him any other time of year.. it would not give him enough time before winter.. to adapt.. But when the time comes that i really need to let him go.. if it is not advisable to set him free i would definitly concider sending him to you..:D
 
dont ever release a animal back into the wild . :nilly:

way not build him a pond .
 
frasertheking;885905; said:
dont ever release a animal back into the wild . :nilly:

way not build him a pond .
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I have a pond of gold fish.. he would eat them ha ha,.. i bring in the gold fish every september for winter.. but we have a big rubbermaid tub waiting for him as he gets bigger.. i just want to make sure i am doing the right thing keeping him in captivity.. it seems wrong sometimes to me.. but of course he is also safe from harm..but lives very lonely boring life..
 
he's better off in your care and if you have the pond to house him then I would sudjest keeping him I know of a decent sized female by me if you wanted to give him a friend with benefits ;) I can inquire about her being sold
 
Nic;885945; said:
he's better off in your care and if you have the pond to house him then I would sudjest keeping him I know of a decent sized female by me if you wanted to give him a friend with benefits ;) I can inquire about her being sold
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I think i will set up the pond eventually and when i do then look for a companion for him also.. haha right now i do not know the sex of mine. How do you determine the sex of a snapper.. :confused: :confused: And in the future if it becomes nessasary to part with him i will find him a home with someone who also loves turtles.. the main thing is as of now ..all is well and i have had all my doubts about whether he should or should not be released confirmed into "He should not be released" and now i feel better knowing his captivity is the right thing to proceed for his safety and well being.. and i do not need to feel bad keeping him from a better life.. this is the better life..thanks for helping all..;)
 
At least in Ohio, it is illegal to release an animal into public waters. However, it is legal to release them into private ponds. A 9" snapping turtle would not have many, if any, enemies, especially in a pond. New York may be different, so you should check.

So if you don't release him, what will you do with him? He will get larger. Usually they get around 12-15 inches SCL, but he could get even bigger.
 
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