can a expieriansed herp tell me all about my month old common snapper?

Question

plz like basking and habitat

iv been kepping him in a 30 gallon tank with 3-1/2 inches of water and there is a basking platform and a hide out made out of drift wood

Answer 1

I raise these as well as several others.First off they don't usually bask like other turtles(sliders/cooters/painted) They are one of several turtles that prefer to stay in the water most of the time.They like mucky algae filled water ,which usually stays warmer, so they can sit and wait for their prey,fish/crawfish/small water snakes/baby water birds etc. It will eat carrion and water plants as well.
In captivity they are fed floating turtle pellets,feeder goldfish,shrimp pellets,crickets,mealworms.If it moves and they can get it in there mouths they will try to eat it.I set my tanks up as follows,First and foremost a filter....I use a Duetto .Placed so the water makes a complete circle in the tank.It must be cleaned at least once a week or more.Then I place one nice 6 inches square as possible stone in the bottom near the middle.Next I lay a large flat stone on this first stone to make a nice hiding area.I don't use gravel but instead leave the bottom bare,its esier to clean and give bacteria no place to build.If the tank is large 30 + gallons I make 3 of these hiding areas.One set up for every 10 gallons figure.For a really large setup say 50 gallon 2 filters one at each end will be needed.Feed appropriate sized food.I find that the really small red color cichlid pellets work fine for baby turtles.Once they reach the 3-4 inch range they will need to go with floating turtle food sticks.Your snapper will grow to a large size depending on wether its a male or female.....males are larger than females...8-20" carapace,although they can get larger in captivity.40lbs in the wild would be a large one,whereas I 've seen male in captivity that would surpass 50lbs.They can become quite nasty tempered.They have a very nasty bite as anyone who has lost a finger or toe while swimming can attest to.....You will eventually need a very large enclosure for your "baby" =} Z

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I would continue what you are doing, provide some natural sunlight if possible, if not possible then buy a reptile UV light from the pet store from it. I have never heard they are difficult to raise, i always found them to be very easy hardy, fast growing turtles. They are pretty much carnivorous so feeding it fish and earthworms is acceptable, earthworms are very nutritous, you can also give it insects including crickets and mealworms. You should probably get it eating a good quality name brand turtle pellet diet as well to add some nutrients and when it gets bigger you can even give it dead mice on occasion. Other than that keep it above 70 degrees and below 90 they are not too picky for reptiles. Keep the water clean, this might be the most difficult thing with these guys because they are soo messy.
Lastly if you want to keep it as a permenant pet hope it is a female because males get much larger probably too big for a pet, not that females are tiny. Softshells are the opposite in that with them the females are larger than the males just an extra bit of information.

Answer 4

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/chelydracare.htm

wu_gwei21 has given you some pretty good information.
Snappers are very messy animals & you will need a very good water filter + frequent water changes.
Most snappers are pretty aquatic & don't come out of the water except to lay eggs. But providing it a place to get out & bask is probably still a good idea. Real or fake water plants will help to make him feel more comfortable... he may eat some of the real ones!

Do follow the laws such as wu_gwei21 suggested. He will eventually outgrow the 40 gallon tank, they really need a small pond.

I like going to my local park & feed the common snappers dried cat food or Mazuri tort food. Boy are they spoiled!

I really don't think snappers make good pets for MOST people but you are doing the right thing by trying to find out what you need to do.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You're doing very well... you'll need to change the water every few days. You can put in more water and add submerged rocks and driift wood for it to climb on. Just remember, it feels safe in the water, so an underwater cave is good too or floating artifical plants.

I must warm you that there is a high deatg rate in wild caught snapping turtle hatchlings. Many of them are not meant to make it and will die naturally even with the best care.

Try feeding bits of meat, smaller the better, too large may choke it. Here is a caresheet for common snapping turtle:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-commonsnapper.htm

I have worked and bred over 75 different turtles and tortoises. Currently I have two 8-9" female common snapping turtles and one 5-6" alligator snapping turtle.

They are cute, but if you plan on keeping it permanently, make sure you check with local by-laws and state/provincial laws.

Answer 6

sounds fine. just remember to condition the water and feed it only cooked meat or comercial turtle food to avoid salmonella