Snapping turtle
- Thread starter RobD23
- Start date
thats definatley a common, theyre just as neat though, actually ive got a 5" common and i think i might actually like it more than my big ally...........
The turtle in the pic is a common snapper .. there are several ways to determine the difference (excluding goegraphic location) ... carapace is different, 'eyelashes' on an ali, absent in common, jaw shape, etc etc ...
It'll grow quite quickly initially, and be about 10 - 12" carapace within a year ... they get nasty after about 5".
carl
It'll grow quite quickly initially, and be about 10 - 12" carapace within a year ... they get nasty after about 5".
carl
RobD23 said:
the first pic in the link looks like the ones we picked up smooth shell i've never seen the other kind hmmp!
Oddball said:
I caught one this size in a lake by my old place in ontario I snaged him with my fishing rod i thought i caught a monster fish! When it came up i almost jumped out the other side of the boat would not of been a good ideal!! I **** MY PANT's
Common snaper 3'' shell to a minimum!! 
Its a common snapper. I happen to have had two now. I released the last (too big) and the new one is about 3" long (shell).
There is only ONE thing to concern yourself with these animals. When they get a lil bigger, ONLY handle them from the rear of their shell. They are capable of reaching around to almost their rear legs, and you won't want them grabbing you. In terms of care. They'll eat ANYTHING, from plants to live fish. I prefer to feed mine turtle sticks, as its the easiest and cheapest. Once they are about 4", they'll eat live feeders, which I do from time to time. Good luck. You'll probably want to release him in about 3-4 years, when it gets just too big to house. Once they reach about 1' in the shell, they'll have the power to break any normal aquarium you could put them in.
There is only ONE thing to concern yourself with these animals. When they get a lil bigger, ONLY handle them from the rear of their shell. They are capable of reaching around to almost their rear legs, and you won't want them grabbing you. In terms of care. They'll eat ANYTHING, from plants to live fish. I prefer to feed mine turtle sticks, as its the easiest and cheapest. Once they are about 4", they'll eat live feeders, which I do from time to time. Good luck. You'll probably want to release him in about 3-4 years, when it gets just too big to house. Once they reach about 1' in the shell, they'll have the power to break any normal aquarium you could put them in.
I've had several common snappers and I currently have two. One is three and a half years old; the other is five. The older one has a shell length of six or seven inches. Both stay in kiddie wading pools in the yard year-round (I took them in during the winter when they were smaller). I also live in South Carolina, so the winters aren't too harsh.
Snapping turtles are very easy to keep if you can deal with their large size and aggression. They need a large tank or pool/pond which should be cleaned more or less depending on the size of the turtle and the size of the enclosure. They've been known to bask so they would probably enjoy something to climb out on. If you keep them outside though, make sure they can't climb out of the pool or put a fence around the pool and make sure they can't climb it or dig under it (Fluffy, my big one, has done both). It's unclear as to whether UV light is important to snapping turtles but I'm inclined to say it's not. Still, it would probably be safe to let your turtles stay outside at least a few days out of the year.
As for food, they're not picky. Mine eat Wardley's floating reptile sticks and cichlid pellets as well as dry dog food and canned cat food. Just make sure you don't give them anything with too much fat or salt. They're also fond of several types of fruit, especially canteloupe.
I love my snappers and I hope you enjoy keeping it
Owen.
Snapping turtles are very easy to keep if you can deal with their large size and aggression. They need a large tank or pool/pond which should be cleaned more or less depending on the size of the turtle and the size of the enclosure. They've been known to bask so they would probably enjoy something to climb out on. If you keep them outside though, make sure they can't climb out of the pool or put a fence around the pool and make sure they can't climb it or dig under it (Fluffy, my big one, has done both). It's unclear as to whether UV light is important to snapping turtles but I'm inclined to say it's not. Still, it would probably be safe to let your turtles stay outside at least a few days out of the year.
As for food, they're not picky. Mine eat Wardley's floating reptile sticks and cichlid pellets as well as dry dog food and canned cat food. Just make sure you don't give them anything with too much fat or salt. They're also fond of several types of fruit, especially canteloupe.
I love my snappers and I hope you enjoy keeping it
Owen.
