Care for a alligator snapping turtle??

Question

i found a very small alligator snapping turtle, i'm going to keep it for a pet, i have a fish tank with rocks on one side with water in it so it can swim or get out of the water, i got some turtle pelets to feed it. what else do i need to feed it or do to it to keep it healthy? do i need bugs in there? veggies?

Answer 1

First, check your state laws. You may have to have a license to own an alligator snapper (they're usually cheap and easy to get). Next, you'll need to change your tank. Snapping turtles don't like rocky areas. They preffer mud and soft gravel to dig in. You may want to buy some tank sand and some small grade gravel to mix at the bottom. Use the rocks that you have to make a small section of land on one side and cover that in sand and gravel as well as the bottom of the tank. You will also need a water filter- turtles can make the water very messy, very quickly. A filter will help your turtle stay happy and healthy.

As for food, the pellets are ok, but you'll want to get fish that are small enough for your turtle to supplement its diet, as well as an occasional earthworm (store bought only) and crayfish (store bought). Never add anything from outside, as it may have chemicals that could be deadly to your turtle.

Snapping turtles can be finicky and difficult to raise. I have had success for a few years now with my Common Snapper. T/he biggest problem with Alligator Snappers is that they get BIG. If you really plan on keeping it, you'll need to ensure that you have a large tank that is wide enough that your turtle can turn around with plenty of space, and deep enough that it can completely submerge in the water (but not so deep that it can't stick it's nose out of the water- they do have long necks). Once it gets too big for the tank, you'll need to get it a larger tank, or preferably, a pond that is fenced off.

If you need more detail, or have further questions, feel free to message me.

Answer 2

Forget rocks, pellets, bugs, and veggies. Alligator snappers are fish-eaters. You might be able to get it to accept meats, such as liver. Give it a bare tank, except for a filter.

Answer 3

wild caught turtles do not do well in captivity.  please release the turtle.  you can buy captive-bred at a reptile show or from a breeder.

Answer 4

what you need is to call you r local wildlife shelter and find it a proper home where it can get propor care....aligator snappers don't do well in captivity and for the most part neither do thier owners fingers!

Answer 5

Here's a good care sheet for them: http://www.turtleman.com/turtlecare.html