Snapping Turtles as tank mates

[CDMay]

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.

Agree. Alligator snappers, Macrochelys, are pretty mellow animals compared to common snappers, Chelydra.

 

[syddakyd]

I seen a video of a common killing and eating a porcupine. when I say snapper I mean common because up here that's all we have so that was more of a dialect mistake. idk behavior of alligator at all

 

[TroyMIfishkeeper]

I seen a video of a common killing and eating a porcupine. when I say snapper I mean common because up here that's all we have so that was more of a dialect mistake. idk behavior of alligator at all

Well you have to remember that just cause you saw a video of it happening doesn't mean it's a common occurrence (like the video of the bear killing a deer in a suburban backyard). Sometimes it's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time, and being lucky enough to have a camera with you.
Another thing you have to take into account is that it was a wild snapper. For all you know, that thing could have gone two weeks without eating, and that's what drove him to attack and eat a porcupine. Plus, I've found that if they grow up with tankmates, they are less likely to be aggressive towards them assuming they are the same size.

 

[syddakyd]

I have not only seen videos but also helped some across the street. they become beasts. that mouth is not eating small minnows lol. my parents got a house upstate and they are all over especially early spring crossing to lay eggs

 

[TroyMIfishkeeper]

I have not only seen videos but also helped some across the street. they become beasts. that mouth is not eating small minnows lol. my parents got a house upstate and they are all over especially early spring crossing to lay eggs

Again-- wild snappers. They can be tamed in captivity. Snapping and clawing at someone who is trying to pick them up and carry them when they are probably pregnant is what any animal would do.
And again, Matas eat fish a lot larger than minnows as well.

 

[Arthur]

I'm sorry if I have seemed high and mighty in this discussion, but as far as I'm concerned a predatory turtle is going to be a predatory turtle.

There may be some exceptions, but unless you're willing to spend a lot of time with your turtle it's not probable to tame turtles.

I have seen some exceptions to taming snappers. I would assume that takes a lot of effort, and trust. I wish anyone luck in that endeavor

My snapper will try to eat anything that moves, but I have never tried to keep anything with him because of that

 

[Arthur]

I'm sorry if I have seemed high and mighty in this discussion, but as far as I'm concerned a predatory turtle is going to be a predatory turtle.

There may be some exceptions, but unless you're willing to spend a lot of time with your turtle it's not probable to tame turtles.

I have seen some exceptions to taming snappers. I would assume that takes a lot of effort, and trust. I wish anyone luck in that endeavor

My snapper will try to eat anything that moves, but I have never tried to keep anything with him because of that

 

[TroyMIfishkeeper]

I'm sorry if I have seemed high and mighty in this discussion, but as far as I'm concerned a predatory turtle is going to be a predatory turtle.

There may be some exceptions, but unless you're willing to spend a lot of time with your turtle it's not probable to tame turtles.

I have seen some exceptions to taming snappers. I would assume that takes a lot of effort, and trust. I wish anyone luck in that endeavor

My snapper will try to eat anything that moves, but I have never tried to keep anything with him because of that

Ok, maybe it's better to not risk it. I mean, if I were to attempt it, I'd make sure I could set up separate enclosures if any of them began to show aggression. But I see your point, it's just safer not to. Plus it would be a shame if a cheap turtle like a CST were to maim or kill an expensive one like an AST, mata, Staurotypus, or podocnemis.