Releasing a snapping turtle ?

Question

I rescued a snapping turtle (common) last summer from a racoon. I didn't know what the racoon was attacking but when I got closer, he ran away and left the hurt turtle. He has been living with me for a year. He has grown a lot and is very healthy. I don't want to keep him and would like to release him someday but I do not want him to die because he is ill-equiped to live in the wild. I am guessing he wasn't a year old when I rescued him. I live in Minnesota and I have looked online for rescue or rehabilitation programs for turtles and wasn't able to find any.

Any ideas ?

Answer 1

Call the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (should be a number listed in your local phone book)... they will know EXACTLY what to do with your turtle so that it can be released properly back in the wild and survive.

Answer 2

Since you found him in the area he will be fine. But your best bet would be giving him to a group so they could do something and you dont have to worry about the turtel.

Answer 3

Snappers are pretty tough. You might start by letting him hunt down his own food (earthworms, fishes (not goldfish), and soft-bodied insects) in his tank. By next spring, he should be ready to strike out on his own. Just find a pond, lake, or sluggish stream for him.

Answer 4

i would put him in a little pool then buy fish and let him get some practice hunting

Answer 5

Find a pond near by and release him there, he will love it , you did a good thing now let him go do his thing, good luck.

Answer 6

Turtles arent as bad to release as other animals.  We let several snappers go back into the wild and they are still there when we checked on them.  Besides critters like raccoons, there is little predation in the water.  Not to mention snappers are usually a little more aggressive than others.  Hope that helps

Answer 7

http://www.greenigsociety.org/otheradopt...

It is okay to release a once wild turtle back into the wild. They don't usually tame very well and prefer to stay wild if they were born that way. It is good that you rescued him. If he was once wild he probably still is, deep down inside his little heart. The link above should be for a rescue in Northern Minnesota or you could call them and ask for help at least. Good luck!