Common Snapping Turtle Common Snapping Turtle is an cheap, snarky species which, with the proper management and care, can be a fantastic option for your garden.
These turtles that live in freshwater are prevalent throughout the majority of North America and is the official reptile of New York state.
Wild, the animals employ their jaws that are powerful and their large necks (that can extend over twelve inches) to capture a large range of prey. Their dinosaur-like look, intriguing features (e.g. breath in the water) and the ability to flourish in captivity makes them the favorite of many hobbyists.
For beginners it isn’t easy to take care of an enormous, temperamental water turtle that requires an aqua-terrarium.
If these ancient reptiles are catching your eye take a look at this article to discover how to care for your Snapping Turtle easy…
What is a snapping turtle?
This Common species of Snapping Turtles is sole Snapping Turtle in the Genus Chelydra family located throughout North America. They can be found all over the world, from the southern part of Canada all the way to the edge of Florida that covers the eastern two-thirds area of the continent.
They are adored by herpetologists due to their appearance that is prehistoric. Their shells can vary between 8 and 18 inches long, with males generally being larger.
The shells of Snapping Turtles are usually dark brown, tan or black, and they accumulate a lot of mud and algae as they get older. Snapping Turtles can also be found with ridged tails that extend nearly the length of their shell.
These pets possess some fascinating abilities.
- In accordance with their size they can have an average bite force of 45-150 tons per square inch. This is lower that the average human weight of 162 lbs.
- They earned their namesake “serpentina,” meaning “snake-like,” due to the fact that they extend their necks over two-thirds of all the way around their body.
Natural omnivores that eat various small animals, including fish, invertebrates carrion, as well as other turtles.
The lively attitude, huge size, and distinct appearance make them an regular beginning turtle. However, they are very demanding for beginners:
- They need a large aquarium or an enclosure for a pond.
- They require special lighting and heating arrangements.
- Due to their necks’ lengths and the fact that they are aggressive They require a special method to safely handle.
But, with the proper attention and proper care, as they’re tough and can last until forty years of age, they will be an excellent option for your house over a long time!
| Quick Summary | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chelydra serpentina, C. rossignonii, C. acutirostris |
| Price | <$150 |
| Size | 8 to 18 inches of length of the shell 10 to 35 lbs |
| Lifespan | 30-40 years |
| Diet | An assortment of worms, bugs small animals, and various vegetables |
| Tank Size | 120 gallon |
| Temperature and Humidity | 75degF-80degF temperature of water 80degF-86degF ambient air temperature 90degF Basking Spot |
| Popular Alternatives | Alligator Snapping Turtle, Mata Mata Turtle, Softshell Turtle |
Care sheet for Snapping Turtles
This guide to care will be specific to C. serpentina one of the North American Common species..
Snapping Turtles can be found in aquatic ecosystems across the eastern part of North America.
Their capability to endure cold winter temperatures is what makes them successful across the vast lands of this region.
They love small areas of streams, rivers and lakes with bottoms that are muddy and covered in plants that permit them to cover themselves.
The turtle loves to surface to relax, but seldom leave the water, usually only surfacing for eggs to hatch during breeding season.
Snapping Turtle Tank Requirements and Setting Up
Contrary to the majority of turtles Snapping Turtle can’t eat on land, which is why they require an aqua tank or large swimming pool.
Your turtle will increase in size. They require a huge amount of space.
A hatchling may survive in 10 gallons of water, a 120-gallon turtle tank is the minimum that is required to maintain the adult.
Glass terrariums, huge plastic tubs, fish ponds made of plastic and even children’s pools make great enclosures.
The enclosure’s top must be secured using strong wire to stop escape and resist the heat and lighting fixtures.
The water should be as deep as the turtle’s body is long, with sticks, substrate and debris on the bottom. The more mess that is present, the less secure your turtle will feel in trying to get away. The pet will also require an area heated for bathing area out of the water (more about this later).
Because of the aquatic nature of turtles, it’s essential to have chlorinated, treated water to ensure the best health. If you wish aquarium salt is sprinkled in small amounts to make brackish or brackish-water.
Lighting
The species is more comfortable in water, however they do occasionally bask. This is why specific lighting plans are needed.
A glare infrared lamp over the docking area is the best.
Based on the height of the basking space and the height of the basking area, the wattage of the bulb could have to be adjusted however, generally a basking zone that is 90 degrees can be made by using a 75 to 100 Watt bulb.
Turtles go through a cycle of night and day. This can be replicated with 12-hour cycles when in captivity. It can be controlled using the use of a long UVB bulb.
A top-quality UVB bulb is required for lighting cycles that increase Vitamin D production and help prevent diseases like Metabolic Bone Disease. UVB bulbs need to be replaced every 6-12 months in order to maintain the best lighting output.
Heating
Although they can endure frigid temperatures during winter outdoors, the animals require a certain temperature range to be maintained in captivity.
In the aquarium of fish is recommended to be kept at 78-80degF for hatchlings and 75-78degF adults.
The temperature is achievable by using the use of underwater heaters. It could be necessary to install PVC tubes around heaters that are submersible to avoid burns.
A thermometer must be set near the heater , and a second one at the opposite side of the tank, to ensure that the temperature gradients do not go beyond the recommended range. This can be made possible by with thermostats that keep track of the temperature electronically and also.
Along with keeping a certain temperature of water and ambient temperature, air temperatures that are above the water’s temperature must be maintained between 80 and 86 degrees F. This is achievable with an infrared 50-75 watt lamp or ceramic heating device. A thermometer must be utilized to ensure that temperatures are constant , and a thermostat could be utilized to keep the temperature you want to.
Maintaining both ambient and water temperatures of the air consistent is essential in ensuring that humidity is maintained between 70 and 80% in the air above that of the water.
Substrate
The turtle is able to live in a habitat without substrate. But they’ll have less stress on their environment when provided with a substrate that includes plants as well as driftwood. Be sure that the driftwood won’t be consumed or hurt your pet. Provide ample hiding places.
Decorated with wood or rocks should be scrubbed and removed and cleaned at least every two weeks, based on your tank’s filtration system.
Other substrates could be huge rocks , sand or a mud-like bottom.
The bottom of the rock should not be large enough to swallow however they should not be enough size to entrap your turtle. One suggestion is to use non-toxic epoxy sealant for aquariums to join multiple stones, which will make them difficult to move.
Utilizing a sand or mud bottom may cause water quality issues and could pose a risk to ingestion, which is why it is usually avoided.
Cleaning
In general it is recommended that their tanks be cleaned at least every two weeks. All decor and substrates should be cleaned and scrubbed before being placed in a bleach 10% bath to stop the growth of algae and bacteria.
30% water changes need to be scheduled every 2 weeks to ensure the water’s quality. Always use treated and non-chlorinated water.
If you choose to make use of the bottom of your mud or sandy ensure that you change it at least every 2-4 weeks to avoid bacterial growth.
| Tank Tips | |
|---|---|
| Tank Type | 120-gallon aqua-terrarium |
| Lighting | UVB bulb 50-75 light bulb, 50-75 watts |
| The Best Substrate | Mixture of large pieces of driftwood, large rocks as well as plants |
What Should You Give A Snapping Turtle
Snapping turtles are omnivores with a plethora of opportunities which means that they take anything they can fit in their large beaks.
Wild animals, that means that their diet is typically comprised of:
- Insects that live in water
- Aquatic plants
- Crayfish
- Fish
- Miniature mammals and amphibians along with reptiles (including other turtles!)
To make sure your turtle is eating the right amount, it is recommended for feeding it two times every day if they’re less than six months old. Then, at least once every once a day for turtles who are older than six months.
They are reported to eat almost every day, as young children. They eat often throughout the week in adulthood:
| Age | Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|
| For babies younger than 6 months | Twice daily |
| Two years or less | Everyday |
| For more than 2 years | Three times per week |
If you are feeding your turtle it is recommended to give enough food that your turtle is able to consume within the span of 10 to 15 minutes. Within 15 minutes of eating, immediately take the food away to avoid the development of obesity and other issues with water quality.
They can maintain their health by consuming a selection of healthy foods.
The hatchlings are able to thrive on a primarily protein-rich diet that includes redworms, small fish and nutrients pellets.
Adults must eat the diet of around 70-75 percent protein, and 25-30% plant matter. Adults may be fed occasionally small mice and worms, fish as well as snails and pellets.
Water hyacinth, water lettuce along with duck weed, leafy greens are essential vegetables, although other vegetables such as grapes, pears blackberries, cantaloupe blueberries, strawberries, and carrots are also good as an indulgence.
Alongside the natural variety of food Keepers often supplement their diet with pellets that have the nutrients that can’t be easily obtained through natural feeding by itself.
Each food item should be chopped into smaller pieces to feed your turtle. If you do not include nutritious pellets in your diet, these pieces should be sprinkled with a multivitamin as well as a calcium supplement.
Finally, as aquatic turtles, they require fresh, clean or even fresh water. They drink as they want while swimming.
How To Maintain Their Health
The best method to ensure your pet healthy and happy is to keep a an appropriate and regular schedule of care. If properly cared for, in captivity these turtles are able to live of 30 to 40 years. The oldest one in captivity was at 47 years old.
However, a variety of issues in the animal husbandry may result in an earlier death and medical conditions:
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Metabolic bone disease
- Abscesses in the ear
- Eye infections
- Internal parasites
- Infections of the respiratory tract
- Egg retention
- Obesity
Vitamin A insufficiency as well as Metabolic bone diseases are typically result of a lack and multivitamins in their diets or lack in UVB light. Both of these issues can be treated and prevented by an optimum diet that includes Vitamin A-rich foods as well as calcium and vitamin supplements, and appropriate lighting.
Many of these problems can be avoided. In the event that your pet becomes sick it is best to have the issue taken care of by a vet. Here are some indications you need to be aware of:
| The Signs of Health | The symptoms of illness |
|---|---|
| A healthy appetite | A lack of appetite and lethargy |
| Ambush hunting behavior is displayed. | Skin texture and appearance that is unusual |
| Inquiring about the environment and exuding the burrowing instincts of nature | Eyelids that are swollen or enlarged Sometimes, there is discharge from the mouth |
Common behavior
In the wild Snapping Turtles are known to be isolated individuals who tend to spend their time in the water, waiting to take their prey captive. Social interactions are uncommon and usually includes fighting between males which is why cohabitation is not recommended when it comes to this species.
On land, the character of these turtles shifts dramatically from a calm, fleeing creature to a rage-inducing monster.
In the absence of water, they display extreme aggression. They may even flash, hiss at an perceived threat.
Snapping Turtles prefer to crawl down and rest in the middle of the enclosures between surface visits , as an ambush strategy. The removal of their ability to hide in a place will stop their behavior completely.
In general, these turtles show the same temperament when they are in captivity as they do in the wild.
They’re calmer and are more likely to stay away from your presence in the water, however once removed, they could become aggressive. In this situation it is crucial to be aware of how to handle them.
Although this species can be capable of hibernation but not all do. They have an exceptionally high tolerance to cold and can remain active even under layers of snow.
In the northern regions of America they hibernate.
They’ll burrow themselves into the bottom of a river or lake and then let their heads fall into the water. For up to six months turtles are able to remain in the mud and breathe only through membrane-like gas exchanges.
Mating Behavior
The process of mating is usually initiated by visual signals.
The turtles will be facing each other and show various leg movements in order to communicate their intentions.
In captivity, a lot of these behavior patterns are maintained. Females might linger in their dry docks during the laying season however, they are not able to quit the lake.
Handling
They have sharp, sturdy beaks and necks that are long which means that specific handling skills are required to handle this species..
It is known that the Snapping Turtle is known to be aggressive in adulthood particularly when removed of the water. As with certain reptiles the Snapping Turtle should be handled with care and avoided as much as is possible.
To ensure that you are able to safely handle your turtle, put your hands under the carapace that is above the back legs and place your thumbs positioned on the top of the shell to provide assistance.
Use their shells to help raise them up. One common mistake novices make is to hold their turtles by their tail, which can cause permanent injury to the spine.
Snapping Turtle Appearance
This species is renowned for their fearsome and prehistoric appearance.
Snapping Turtles are rough with olive-yellow-colored skin that is complemented by an elongated head.
Their necks can extend as long as two-thirds that their shells are with sharp, bony beak. The shells of these species are usually brown, tan, or black, and are covered with algae. They get more smooth as they grow older.
Also, they have tails with ridged edges almost longer than their shells and webbed feet.
Snapping turtles can be described as sexually distinct which means that there are differences in the visual appearance between females and males.
Adult males have long, thick tails that have vents further into the tail.
Females are, however, more likely to have shorter tails , and vents that are close to their bodies. Females are also generally smaller, however this isn’t always a valid method of sex.
Snapping Turtle Size
The hatchlings are generally similar in size, regardless of sexual. They may be 2.5-4 inches in length and weigh only some pounds.
At the age of five the majority of males are at sexual maturity and should be 6 inches in length.
Females could be as old as 12 years old at the time they are sexually mature.
After 12-15 years, the growth rate decreases and your turtle will gradually attain its maximum size, which is between 8-18 inches, and 10-35 pounds.
Color
Wild Snapping Turtles typically possess brown, tan and black shells. But, the shells tend to become covered in algae and mud over time.
Their skin color is olive-yellow throughout their body, with the exception of their heads that tend to be darker.
Snapping Captives bred by captives Turtles are more diverse in the color. They could be:
- Albino
- Black
- Brownish light (cinnamon)
- Hypomelanistic or leucistic
Baby Snapping Turtles
Babies are usually described as being younger than 6 months old and have very similar needs to adults.
A key difference is that the tank size must be smaller than the water that is shallow (10 to 20-gallons are ideal).
Their water temperature needs to be increased to 80-78 degrees Fahrenheit.
They should be fed mostly small invertebrates and fish protein like redworms, tiny guppies. They should be fed twice daily in a span of 10-15 minutes.
What is the cost of a Snapping Turtle Cost?
They are available at prices that range between $25 for infants up to $150 to adults. They are available in pet stores or purchased through the internet, but prices could be more expensive from private sellers.
It is crucial to find out about the turtle’s breeder and distributor to stay clear of wild-caught turtles.
Wild-caught turtles are often sick which make them less likely adjust quickly to the environment in captivity.
You may be interested in box turtle
Breeding Snapping Turtles
Common snapping turtles’ sexual maturation is directly linked to their size.
At about 6 inches in length They are now at the point of mating. The mating season typically occurs in April through May, with egg laying taking place in late May and early June.
Courtship is quite simple and consists of two possible partners facing each other and shifting their heads and front legs to express their desire.
The bigger the female is, the more eggs she’ll produce. The majority of females produce 24 eggs per clutch However, certain nests have produced more than 100 eggs.
They like to lay eggs in decaying plant matter, sawdust, sand piles and similar substrates prior to returning to water.
The average hatchling spends 90 days inside their nests before or after the fall or beginning their first hibernation period, based on where they live.
Care Guide Summary
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| They live for a long time. | They expand quickly. |
| They are tough and seldom become sick if they are treated properly and a good husbandry | They usually possess an aggressive nature when they are on land. |
| They’re unique with regard to appearance, when you compare them with the other turtles. | They need an entirely enclosed, water-based enclosure |
Snapping turtles are moderately difficult regimen of care as a result of their varied diets as well as their large size, the aquatic environment, and their aggression.
They are, however, extremely fascinating and enjoyable and make great pets for experienced pet owners.
When properly handled The turtles are able to thrive and can live to be 30-40 years old.
Their temperament, while agressive on the land, can be controlled within their enclosure. it is possible to have a positive relationship created between a the turtle’s keeper and its.
Other species of turtles that have similar requirements for care includes the more large Alligator Snapping Turtle, Softshell Turtle and the smaller Red-Bellied Turtle.
