How To Keep Snapping Turtles As Pets

The snapping turtle is a Northern US turtle. There are two distinct species of snapping turtle. The uniqueness of the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, is often overlooked simply due to how abundant the snapping turtle is. With its big head, ungainly build, outsized tail, and vicious disposition, it presents a memorable picture when found on land. The snapping turtle is a thoroughly nautical animal, rarely voluntarily leaving the water except to lay its eggs. The eggs are round in shape and have been likened to ping-pong balls. Snapping turtle eggs normally require about a quarter to hatch, but there were cases in which the babies have spent the winter inside their eggs and emerged during the spring. Baby snapping turtles measure a little over an in. in shell length and evolve themselves quickly to an aquarium arrangement with 1 or 2 inches of water and 2 rocks.

The snapper is neither a swift nor seemly swimmer. The snapping turtle is basically a bottom-walking species and will use the rocks to protrude its head occasionally to get air and survey its environment. Snapping turtles survive on a diet basically made from fish and whatever meat they can find. In captivity as long as the snapping kept on a well-balanced diet, the snapper does not require sunlight or perhaps lighting. Reasonably cool water, 65 to 70 degrees, appears to suit it best; it is one of the hardiest turtles in prison. The alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys lemmincki, is one of the largest fresh-water turtles in existence. A completely grown sample can have a shell length of over two feet and reach a weight higher than 200 pounds.

In natural settings, snapping turtles are found from southern Canada to Florida and the alligator snapping turtle can be found in the souther United States. The alligator snapping turtle can also now be found in parts of Europe and China because of the pet trade and irresponsible owners letting then loose in the wild.

Both the common and the alligator snappers are ready biters when out of water and can impose substantial damage with their powerful jaws. The alligator snapper isn't as agile as the common snapper and notwithstanding its greater size it's no where near as assertive and its smaller cousin. Either species might be safely handled by its long tail, held well away from one’s body. No very large snapper should be lifted by the tail though as lifting them by the tail is probably going to break the bones in the tail and can actually lead directly to death.

Giant snapping turtles of either species are extremely predaceous creatures, and no other animal is safe in an enclosure with them. Both categories of snappers become quite tame in an aquarium and will grow rapidly if cared for correctly. Whole or sliced raw fish with bones included is the best food for the alligator snapper; the shell quickly softens if the animal doesn't receive an adequate intake of calcium. Though shy naturally, alligator snappers in aquariums will learn to contest with other turtles for any pieces of food offered. The best arrangement for a snapper is , however , an aquarium or outdoor pool of its own. The 2 species of snapping turtles resemble one another in appearance, but each is sort of distinct and there is no interbreeding in areas where their ranges overlap.

G. Weir is an amateur herpetologist and runs the Turtles As Pets Tips website. To get some more information about different types of turtles as pets visit http://turtlesaspetstips.com.