What to do with snapper

[davo]

I've been working on getting a prohibited species permit for mine (turns out they're illegal in Oregon).

Mine is about 7 or 8 years old.

Crazy shell! Remember to let us know the outcome of that!

 

[killerfish]

Mine grew fast found him when he could fit in the palm of my hand and in a little over a year here he is he was just a little bit bigger then a bottle cap must of just hatched when i took him home

If i do get rid of him i'll be getting a turtle that stays smaller as an adult its very hand'y to have this guy around he eats pretty much ANYTHING when ever i bring down to much Shimp , fish fillets , worms or any thing else that i'm feeding to my fish i toss it in his tank and its gone no food wasted and i get a fat happy turtle

 

[Kobeclone]

Well technically it would most likely do fine in the wild if it's native where you live. Reptiles aren't like cats and dogs that depend on us for survival. They have it all programed in their brains how to survive. But be that as it may I would still avoid releasing it based on the fact that you could transfer a disease/illness to the wild population. Do your best to find it a home. I'd love to take it if I had the room.

I hate when people talk about reptiles/ amphibians like they are domesticated animals. They are not domesticated, they simply tolerate being in captivity. Yes it is illegal to let it go into the wild, but I would not hesitate to do so given 3 things: 1. The snapper was NEVER exposed to any other fish or amphibian while in captivity. 2. The snapper can take feeders in a fairly large aquarium. 3. You can not give it to a LFS, a MFK member, or someone locally.

 

[Kobeclone]

Crazy shell! Remember to let us know the outcome of that!

I think it is just because the perimeter of the shell is wet and the center of the shell isn't. If not, awesome shell!

 

[Dan F]

I think it is just because the perimeter of the shell is wet and the center of the shell isn't. If not, awesome shell!

You're right, I need to clean off the algae, too.

 

[davo]

I hate when people talk about reptiles/ amphibians like they are domesticated animals. They are not domesticated, they simply tolerate being in captivity. Yes it is illegal to let it go into the wild, but I would not hesitate to do so given 3 things: 1. The snapper was NEVER exposed to any other fish or amphibian while in captivity. 2. The snapper can take feeders in a fairly large aquarium. 3. You can not give it to a LFS, a MFK member, or someone locally.

Do not condone it if it's illegal, re-release laws are there for a reason.

 

[Red Devil]

Ok this is how I see it: like I've mentioned they are not a domesticated species like a dog, cat, horse, etc... But even those animals have the ability to survive without the help of human assistance as long as they are able to find food, water and shelter. Snappers are not specialized feeders either and can easily find something to eat in pretty much any type of freshwater habitat that is similar to where they exist natively. If I took and released all my box turtles right now (2 of which I've had for over 20 years) I know without any shadow of a doubt that they'd survive and live just fine in the wild. I see them hunt food and eat certain vegetation in their enclosure but they still get fed by me a few days a week. Your pet snapper Liz might seem domesticated but if you were to place it in a pond, it would explore around and eat things it found on the way. Before long it would become very accustom to this and revert back to it's wild state. Reptiles for the most part have primitive brains programed like little computers to tell them what to do, what to eat, how to survive, etc. They can of course learn things over times and come to realize that the human approaching their tank means no harm and is the provider of food. If releasing captive animals into the wild by accident or on purpose didn't work, we wouldn't have so many feral animal species throughout the world. Do I believe in releasing an animal that was raised in captivity? Well I guess that would depend on the species, how long it's been in captivity, how much contact it's had with humans and is it really good for the benefit of the animal/species.

i have been very upset with this issue and pondering whether i should say something or not... but i am going to say it.. i released my snapper... not on purpose... not at all... i went and bought a pool for my snapper and every day i filled it up and carried him out in a bucket.. i wanted him to swim and experience the great outdoors ..the summer sun..an insect that flew into the water, i felt bad that he was growing bigger and never even heard the sounds from the outside world... well i thought this was a grand idea until he excaped out of the pond... i had a tough time coping with all the fears i had that something bad happened to him.. it was right in my yard...10 feet from my door and day after day i searched but i never saw him again.. this happened one month ago.. i still look for him... it is comforting to think he may be okay and doing what he should be doing out there.. i hope so.... Vicious fish... you do make me feel better... i would have never given him up but the decision was made for me... maybe it is for the best...

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Liz I'm very sorry that your snapper escaped. I know that you really loved that guy. It can be very hard at times, believe me I know. Over the years I have rehabilitated dozens of sick or injured turtle species. I've had a few pass away or escape before I was finished healing them so that was always a let down for me. You try to do what's best for them and sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. I think you did a really good thing by providing your snapper with natural sunlight, fresh air and a chance to nibble on a wild food sources. Unfortunately it seems to have worked too good in this case. Chance are that he headed toward the pond where your baby painted turtles came from.

Don't get upset with yourself for putting him in your outdoor pond. I've found common snappers to be quite good escape artists. I had one I found a few years ago about the size of a dinner plate that was run over by a mower on the State Game Lands near my house one fall. I kept him over the winter and patched him up. He was a great turtle and didn't try to snap at me once. I was even considering keeping him, he was that cool. So when spring came and he was almost at 100% I placed him in one of my outdoor "escape proof" turtle ponds where he vanished the next day. Hopefully heading back where he came from.

I have no doubt Liz that your snapper is doing fine now munching on wild foods, catching some rays and exploring his new domain. For now, good luck with your painted turtles. They’re great little turtles to have and you won’t be disappointed by them. If and when you are ready to keep them outside let me know and I can help you figure out an escape proof pond/enclosure.

 

[Red Devil]

Liz I'm very sorry that your snapper escaped. I know that you really loved that guy. It can be very hard at times, believe me I know. Over the years I have rehabilitated dozens of sick or injured turtle species. I've had a few pass away or escape before I was finished healing them so that was always a let down for me. You try to do what's best for them and sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. I think you did a really good thing by providing your snapper with natural sunlight, fresh air and a chance to nibble on a wild food sources. Unfortunately it seems to have worked too good in this case. Chance are that he headed toward the pond where your baby painted turtles came from.

Don't get upset with yourself for putting him in your outdoor pond. I've found common snappers to be quite good escape artists. I had one I found a few years ago about the size of a dinner plate that was run over by a mower on the State Game Lands near my house one fall. I kept him over the winter and patched him up. He was a great turtle and didn't try to snap at me once. I was even considering keeping him, he was that cool. So when spring came and he was almost at 100% I placed him in one of my outdoor "escape proof" turtle ponds where he vanished the next day. Hopefully heading back where he came from.

I have no doubt Liz that your snapper is doing fine now munching on wild foods, catching some rays and exploring his new domain. For now, good luck with your painted turtles. They’re great little turtles to have and you won’t be disappointed by them. If and when you are ready to keep them outside let me know and I can help you figure out an escape proof pond/enclosure.

Thank you so much again... i thought it was really strange and weird and good that shortly after my snapper excaped my husband found the baby paints.. they have filled the void to some extent..mostly because i can get attached to them with out worrying about their future... they won't get too big or too hard to handle.. my snapper never had me worried about his attitude ,.he seemed to know me and would only snap at things that hit the water... i hope he is out there snapping away... he was great... about 12 inches now..and i hope he is across the street in the private pond that i thought many times of putting him..but could not say goodbye... this kiddy pool was what i thought was the answer for a nice summer for him... i did not leave him out at night...just the day.... thank you so much for your kind words and uplifting thoughts..when it comes to him i need to hear positive things.... your words are appreciated fully...

 

[killerfish]

Don't worrie LIZ snappers don't have a problem traveling across land the do go at a slow speed but will still get some where if theres any water way near your house you can bet its there