Snapping Turtles as tank mates
- Thread starter TroyMIfishkeeper
- Start date
It matters the age. Juvenile vs adults is going to be a difference. I was just trying to give some advice and input. If you don't want to take it, so be it.
I am just stating my experience. I'm glad you are prepared for if it doesn't work.
Just noticed this thread this morning...I have a lot of experience with turtle keeping and most of the species I've maintained have been what you would call, 'Monster Turtles'.
That you were able to keep a common snapper along with an alligator snapper for a time is interesting---but not typical. I'm very sure that it was because they were juveniles of roughly the same size that made it possible. Sorry about the loss of the common snapper, what a drag!
I currently have four Chiapas musk turtles, Staurotypus salvinii (or salvini with one i if you follow Legler and Vogt) that I've raised from neonates. All are impressive and neat--and highly aggressive too. Their feeding response is scary and they can strike accurately in the blink of an eye. The feeding response is much more dangerous than the defense response, as in their mind the defensive strike is simply to make you leave them alone.
They cannot be kept together unless you have an enormous tank or pond. Males will fight like crazy and there's no faking it... It's total Turtle Kung Fu with intent to kill. In fact a buddy of mine lost his long term captive male to his female after they had been kept together for several months. I guess she got fed up.
This is my adult male salvinii. He's right at 7 inches.
This is him crunching some Tetra algae wafers...
One of my females. She is now 7.5 inches but still growing.
Despite her pleasant looking demeanor in these photos, she will totally eat your face given the chance. I often hear a deep 'thunk' when I pass by her 75 gallon tank as she will strike at the glass when something gets too close. Again though, these are feeding responses.
A juvenile male of around 3 inches. Another spastic biter when handled.
Staurotypus already have the attitude as hatchlings...
And as juveniles...
Keeping common snappers and alligator snappers is rewarding if you have the space. But then they are heartbreaking if you don't and the day comes when you have to part with them due to space restraints. Don't be one of those keepers who says you can keep an AST in a kiddie pool---they need WAY more space than that as adults.
Here's one from this past October in north Florida. We released him right after the photos. You couldn't keep him in a kiddie pool!
That you were able to keep a common snapper along with an alligator snapper for a time is interesting---but not typical. I'm very sure that it was because they were juveniles of roughly the same size that made it possible. Sorry about the loss of the common snapper, what a drag!
I currently have four Chiapas musk turtles, Staurotypus salvinii (or salvini with one i if you follow Legler and Vogt) that I've raised from neonates. All are impressive and neat--and highly aggressive too. Their feeding response is scary and they can strike accurately in the blink of an eye. The feeding response is much more dangerous than the defense response, as in their mind the defensive strike is simply to make you leave them alone.
They cannot be kept together unless you have an enormous tank or pond. Males will fight like crazy and there's no faking it... It's total Turtle Kung Fu with intent to kill. In fact a buddy of mine lost his long term captive male to his female after they had been kept together for several months. I guess she got fed up.
This is my adult male salvinii. He's right at 7 inches.
This is him crunching some Tetra algae wafers...
One of my females. She is now 7.5 inches but still growing.
Despite her pleasant looking demeanor in these photos, she will totally eat your face given the chance. I often hear a deep 'thunk' when I pass by her 75 gallon tank as she will strike at the glass when something gets too close. Again though, these are feeding responses.
A juvenile male of around 3 inches. Another spastic biter when handled.
Staurotypus already have the attitude as hatchlings...
And as juveniles...
Keeping common snappers and alligator snappers is rewarding if you have the space. But then they are heartbreaking if you don't and the day comes when you have to part with them due to space restraints. Don't be one of those keepers who says you can keep an AST in a kiddie pool---they need WAY more space than that as adults.
Here's one from this past October in north Florida. We released him right after the photos. You couldn't keep him in a kiddie pool!
CDMay thanks so much for your info and advice! It's so hard to find any info on the Staurotypus turtles.
And I assure you I won't be keeping my alligator snapper in a kiddie pool
And I assure you I won't be keeping my alligator snapper in a kiddie pool
Just noticed this thread this morning...I have a lot of experience with turtle keeping and most of the species I've maintained have been what you would call, 'Monster Turtles'.
That you were able to keep a common snapper along with an alligator snapper for a time is interesting---but not typical. I'm very sure that it was because they were juveniles of roughly the same size that made it possible. Sorry about the loss of the common snapper, what a drag!
I currently have four Chiapas musk turtles, Staurotypus salvinii (or salvini with one i if you follow Legler and Vogt) that I've raised from neonates. All are impressive and neat--and highly aggressive too. Their feeding response is scary and they can strike accurately in the blink of an eye. The feeding response is much more dangerous than the defense response, as in their mind the defensive strike is simply to make you leave them alone.
They cannot be kept together unless you have an enormous tank or pond. Males will fight like crazy and there's no faking it... It's total Turtle Kung Fu with intent to kill. In fact a buddy of mine lost his long term captive male to his female after they had been kept together for several months. I guess she got fed up.
This is my adult male salvinii. He's right at 7 inches.
This is him crunching some Tetra algae wafers...
One of my females. She is now 7.5 inches but still growing.
Despite her pleasant looking demeanor in these photos, she will totally eat your face given the chance. I often hear a deep 'thunk' when I pass by her 75 gallon tank as she will strike at the glass when something gets too close. Again though, these are feeding responses.
A juvenile male of around 3 inches. Another spastic biter when handled.
Staurotypus already have the attitude as hatchlings...
And as juveniles...
Keeping common snappers and alligator snappers is rewarding if you have the space. But then they are heartbreaking if you don't and the day comes when you have to part with them due to space restraints. Don't be one of those keepers who says you can keep an AST in a kiddie pool---they need WAY more space than that as adults.
Here's one from this past October in north Florida. We released him right after the photos. You couldn't keep him in a kiddie pool!
Wow! That is one prehistoric beast.
Actually...
Common snappers kill ducks but despite what Wikipedia will tell you, they have never been known to eat adult raccoons. Alligator snappers, however, have a very similar hunting behavior to Matas, and normally consume only fish as well. And I have personally seen Matas devour very large fish.
Common snappers could be called the "meanest hidden neck you can choose," but not alligator snappers. Alligator snappers are surprisingly docile.
