Snapping Turtle Handling

[Krynn]

First picture is an alligator snapper and the second picture is a common snapper - both being held safely as suggested. I double dog dare someone to hold an angry serpentina with the same method that fella is using on the macrochelys.

haha no kidding. I only have ever dealt with common snappers, and I flinched when I saw that guy holding the top of the carapace like that. Its always good to talk about how to properly carry snapping turtles since there will be alot of them around roads this time of year

[Raven01]

Alligator Snappers can be lifted as shown in the photo above behind the head/neck to distribute the weight better.
Try that with a regular snapping turtle and you are likely to end up short a few fingers they can reach back almost to the base of their own tail. Really long necks on regular snappers.
It makes moving hens looking to lay off gravel roads a lot more dicey here every spring.

[John1982]

Alligator Snappers can be lifted as shown in the photo above behind the head/neck to distribute the weight better.
Try that with a regular snapping turtle and you are likely to end up short a few fingers they can reach back almost to the base of their own tail. Really long necks on regular snappers.
It makes moving hens looking to lay off gravel roads a lot more dicey here every spring.

Don't forget the speed of their attack. They can snap that head back so quick, if you're not ready they will literally go somersaulting out of your hands.