Question On My Snapping Turtle

[armaggedonx]

I have a florida snapping turtle and he has NEVER been out of the water apart from when I take him out. He had a island but I had never seen him on it so i thought he might not be able to get onto it so I bought him a new one with a ramp so he could easily get himself onto it but he has NEVER used it. Is this normal? Does he need to dry off? His shell is always flaking but its still solid and he has the calcium water defuser thing in his water which is changed when used up.

Cheers,
Keith

 

[snakeguy101]

Snappers do not dry off and bask. They do not need special lighting like other turtles, and they do not need a land area unless you are expecting eggs.

 

[Kolossus]

Snappers do not dry off and bask. They do not need special lighting like other turtles, and they do not need a land area unless you are expecting eggs.

X2. My AST never gets out of the water though he could if he wanted to.

 

[Exodon Man]

I kept 3 snapping turtles over 6 years, and only once did one of them ever exit the water of its own accord (although we thing our beefy bearded dragon that we used to keep him with had something to do with that).

These guys are COMPLETELY adapted for life underwater, and do not express the need to bask like other turtles. in fact, the only times these guys will come out of the water naturally is when the females are gravid () or when their pond or river dries up.

I wouldn't worry about it man. Snappers are built for the water.
As for the flaking scutes, it could be due to a sudden change in diet or simply a growth spurt (turtles shed old scutes as they grow). if it continues for more than a few weeks, you might want to consult a proffessional (pardon my spelling).

 

[EricIvins]

Again, any Turtle that inhabits this Earth needs the ability to get out of the water........

I've found wild Snappers both in and out of the water, and a few partially exposed........Just because you don't SEE them do it, doesn't mean they don't use it........Taking away that ability or choice will lead to eventual problems if they need to use it, seeing that your Turtle really can't tell you what's going on from the inside looking out........

 

[snakeguy101]

Again, any Turtle that inhabits this Earth needs the ability to get out of the water........

I've found wild Snappers both in and out of the water, and a few partially exposed........Just because you don't SEE them do it, doesn't mean they don't use it........Taking away that ability or choice will lead to eventual problems if they need to use it, seeing that your Turtle really can't tell you what's going on from the inside looking out........

I know that you have had success with lots of other turtles but I disagree. I too have successfully raised my fair share of snappers and only ONE of them did I ever see bask and he did so on a regular basis from a hatchling and to today. If his is not utilizing the basking area then I think that it would be much more beneficial to use that area for increased tank volume for more exercise/ enrichment than for the slight possibility of it deciding to bask once.

I am not saying that you are wrong just that there are different ways of keeping them nice and healthy. You wouldn't give a male sea turtle a basking area- and you don't need to give snappers one either but if it is there the only thing it hurts is budget/ space (but not the turtle itself).

 

[LRM]

Again, any Turtle that inhabits this Earth needs the ability to get out of the water........

I've found wild Snappers both in and out of the water, and a few partially exposed........Just because you don't SEE them do it, doesn't mean they don't use it........Taking away that ability or choice will lead to eventual problems if they need to use it, seeing that your Turtle really can't tell you what's going on from the inside looking out........

Agreed, always give the option even if it may never get used.

 

[armaggedonx]

Glad that peope think he is ok and yes he has the option to clamber of if he ever wants to, he usually sits under it anyway, goes a swim and returns at nights.

 

[KNMG]

I have a rescued pair of adult Common Snappers and they both regularly bask. Granted the majority of their time is spent under water. Just about every time I enter my garage where the pond is, I hear a splash as they dive off of their basking log. I think giving them the choice is a good idea.