anyone keep snappers?

[mainbutter]

I'm just curious if anyone keeps snapping turtles (either common or alligator snappers), I would love some pictures!

I've been dreaming lately of having a large aquarium with north american fish and a common snapper. I don't think it's going to happen any time soon but who knows what the future holds.

[kjhowland]

My ex-boss has a snapper, but alas no pictures. Highly doubful as to having both snapper and fish in the same aquarium, but good luck to that.

[SGExotics]

I'm just curious if anyone keeps snapping turtles (either common or alligator snappers), I would love some pictures!

I've been dreaming lately of having a large aquarium with north american fish and a common snapper. I don't think it's going to happen any time soon but who knows what the future holds.

I bought a common snapper baby the size of a quarter and gave it to my little cousin... So he has one.. I just went to his house 2 weeks ago and it got huge! ABOUT THE LENGTH OF A DOLLAR BILL NOW! Maybe bigger...

[ItsMichael805]

alligator snappers are pretty cool looking.i wouldnt mind have one of those around my house lol

[Mindibun]

I don't see why anyone would want a pet snapper unless they're turtle fanatics with LOADS of experience with even the most difficult species. Those things get huge and I doubt that cleaning the pond/tank/what-have-you is any fun...

I saw a video fairly recently of someone feeding his pet snapper. He was giving it live mice and rats and the turtle was just grabbing the rodents and tearing bits off while they tried to swim away with bloody nubs and their insides hanging out. It was absolutely ridiculous (not to mention SO inhumane). I thought they ate fish. Why would someone feel the need to feed rodents unless there's something I'm missing...? anyway, imagine having to clean the tank after its filled with blood. I bet that smells lovely...

[jaxsprout]

I do keep common snapper, and feed him with cat food... sometimes gold fish...



if you want to keep a snapper, you have to maintain their food otherwise be prepared for larger aquarium

[Ginevive]

I've photographed and watched them in the wild.They can snap off a broom handle with their teeth; I can attest to that. I'd treat them with absoulte caution for this reason; I would think that you'd need a properly-enclosed outdoor pond that they could not burrow out of; unless you had a tank with a huge floor area; since I have seen snappers that exceeded 14 inches in length..! I will try to dig-up the photos that I took of a huge one that my husband foolishly picked up (hey, it was awhile ago.. lol.)

[CTReptileRescue]

I do keep common snapper, and feed him with cat food... sometimes gold fish...



if you want to keep a snapper, you have to maintain their food otherwise be prepared for larger aquarium

Is that an actual American or an Alligator snapping turtle.
I am wondering as I just received a call from someone who claims to have a two year old male "Alligator snapper" that wandered into his place of business two years ago. Yet we live in CT (not a big thrill for ally snaps too live here). I told him to send me pics as he explained that in captivity the turtle started forming sharp scutes along the "spine" area. Which leaves me to wonder if snappers (American) can pyramid under private care.
So if your lil guy pictured above is an actual American then it all makes sense.

Anyhow I am tired and my brain is too challenged..lol

As for keeping snappers in private care I would only recommend it for advanced turtle keepers. They are dirty, bitey and oh did I say dirty?
When we have them in rescue they are individually kept in those pre made plastic pond "shells". But be careful I have had some bite through heaters, and Canister filter tubes. They can be tricky. (Oh and there is that whole could lose a finger thing..lol)
Rusty

[CTReptileRescue]

It's a common snapping turtle, not an alligator snapping turtle.

Hi, Again I apologize for hijacking if I am. But (and I don't ever want to offend anyone) But if the snapping turtle you pictured is yours. I can definitely ID it as an Alligator Snapping Turtle. I don’t mean to be rude.
You also happened to mention:

I do keep common snapper, and feed him with cat food... sometimes gold fish...



if you want to keep a snapper, you have to maintain their food otherwise be prepared for larger aquarium

I am not sure what it is that you are trying to imply but if you put an elephant in a dog crate and “you have to maintain their food otherwise be prepared for larger aquarium”
The animal will always grow. You are just stunting it’s natural growth. An Elephant can live in a dog crate with regulated food. But if it is never fed properly or housed properly it will die an early death. (Natural husbandry is key)

I in no way am trying to target anyone (And I apologize if I have) And I always try and stay clear of drama here but that is just how I feel and what I have witnessed for quite some time now… again I am very passionate about our reptile friends.

I hope everyone understands,
Sincerely,
Rusty

[Ginevive]

I don't see why anyone would want a pet snapper unless they're turtle fanatics with LOADS of experience with even the most difficult species. Those things get huge and I doubt that cleaning the pond/tank/what-have-you is any fun...

I saw a video fairly recently of someone feeding his pet snapper. He was giving it live mice and rats and the turtle was just grabbing the rodents and tearing bits off while they tried to swim away with bloody nubs and their insides hanging out. It was absolutely ridiculous (not to mention SO inhumane). I thought they ate fish. Why would someone feel the need to feed rodents unless there's something I'm missing...? anyway, imagine having to clean the tank after its filled with blood. I bet that smells lovely...

That does seem pretty gruesome. I personally would use prekilled or f/t rats/mice in that situation, if they were necessary. I am not against live feeding (I do it myself.) But my BPs don't rip chunks out of still-alive rats.. just an ugly situation all-around, I agree.