snapping turtle what kind

[puffer21]

ok i found a snapping turtle and i think it is an alligater snapping turtle does anyone know if i am right

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/clowne21/DSC00451.jpg

thanks for any help

[crzy4reefs]

from what i see on the net it looks like an alligator snapper and a cute one at that

[puffer21]

ya but not for long

[crzy4reefs]

what do you mean not for long?

[mike4271]

Originally posted by crzy4reefs
what do you mean not for long?


Keep counting your fingers, trust me :eek1: :eek1: :eek1:

[capt. insano]

I think he means it won't stay cute for long......it grows into a huge and ugly snapper

At least I hope that is what he meant............not turtle soup!!

[crzy4reefs]

i still think there cute even when the get full grown.

[mike4271]

Aggressiveness: Yes, it's true that snappers are more docile in their aquatic environment than on land. They sit quietly and give you long soulful stares - hungry stares!!! Snappers will eat anything including your fingers! They charge their food, and your digits can easily be mistaken for worms in a feeding frenzy. You cannot mix them with other turtles including other snappers. Even small snappers can cause serious harm to each other. They will also attempt to eat all the other inhabitants of your prized outdoor pond, including ducks and ornamental fish.


Ive seen one break a piece of wood about 2" thick, they can be scary

[capt. insano]

cute??

http://www.tortoise.org/orangecounty/images/rescues.jpg

http://www.tortoise.org/images/mactem1.jpg

[dinoman]

:) You know Shanna, I'm a reptile freak too...but I have my limits. I watched a show where Brady Barr (famous herpetologist on National Geographic) measured the bite strengths of these critters, some where measuring over 1,000 PSI!

[mike4271]

With ya there Dino, Florida snappers are a unique breed, here is a little snippet from an article


The Florida Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina osceola) is related to the Common Snapping Turtle. It is only found in Florida and Georgia. This is a dangerous turtle. It can grow to 17 inches long and weigh 45 pounds. Its tail is almost as long as his shell and it has saw-edges along the top of the tail. The shell also has rough points down the middle. The shell is tan to dark brown and may have green algae growing on it.

NEVER TOUCH A SNAPPING TURTLE. Their jaws are strong and they will snap very quickly. One snap could bite off a finger. So leave them alone! They’ll eat almost anything: water bugs, fish, lizards, small birds, mice, plants, and even dead animals. Snapping turtles live in ponds under the shadows. They don’t like to rest in the sun like most turtles. Instead, they dig into the mud on the bottom of the pond with only their eyes and nose showing. They are extremely fast swimmers, but if you leave them alone, they’ll usually leave you alone

[mike4271]

That is th nice one, here is an article on the Gator turtle, its protected here, not sure why, it does a pretty good job on its own:lol:

The Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macroclemys temmincki, is found in rivers and large streams in the panhandle. It is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world, reaching a maximum size of 28" and weighing over 200 pounds. It has a very large head and prominent ridges (looking much like rows of mountains) along its dark brown shell.

Younger Alligator Snappers fish during the day by wiggling a red wormlike growth on their tongues and then snapping up the fish it attracts. At night, they feed on vegetation, snails, mussels and smaller turtles.

The Alligator Snapper can easily sever human fingers with one bite. It isn't aggressive though, so give it a wide berth and don't attempt to handle one.

[mike4271]

I dont know what you have on your land Dino, but I would take on a 3 foot alligator before a 3 foot snapper:cool:

[puffer21]

what i meant by it wont be cute for long is that soon it will start to get really really big but that picture of the big turtle was acully cute so mabye i should say it will be dangerous soon. So then is it an aligater snapper or the comman snapper.

[mike4271]

Originally posted by puffer21
what i meant by it wont be cute for long is that soon it will start to get really really big but that picture of the big turtle was acully cute so mabye i should say it will be dangerous soon. So then is it an aligater snapper or the comman snapper.


Really not sure, where do you live??;)

[dinoman]

:D We have snappers, but just the regular ones. I would rather take on a gator too...though turtles don't move very fast so its easy to get away from them!

[puffer21]

In Mass

[puffer21]

Originally posted by dinoman
:D We have snappers, but just the regular ones. I would rather take on a gator too...though turtles don't move very fast so its easy to get away from them!

acually turtles can more fast well at least my baby painted can

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/clowne21/DSC00442.jpg

[capt. insano]

I guess I would be pretty surprised if it were an alligator snapper and you live in Mass.

http://herpcenter.ipfw.edu/outreach/accounts/reptiles/turtles/Alligator_Snapping_Turtle/

[crazyrebel003]

Here is a pic of my alligator snapping turtle, i have had it for about 10 years now, its one of the coolest pets i have ever owned. I usually by 50 goldfish at a time. It has a toung that looks like a worm and lures the fish into its mouth. Then it chomps them in half and all you see is an explosion of scales.

http://home.ripway.com/2005-6/339847/turtle.JPG

[dc]

Originally posted by crazyrebel003
Here is a pic of my alligator snapping turtle, i have had it for about 10 years now, its one of the coolest pets i have ever owned. I usually by 50 goldfish at a time. It has a toung that looks like a worm and lures the fish into its mouth. Then it chomps them in half and all you see is an explosion of scales.

http://home.ripway.com/2005-6/339847/turtle.JPG

I have a friend with one of those. One time it got covered in hair algae and they started calling it their chia pet!:D

[Wee Man]

wow never even thought of keeping on as a pet, but i must admit that is awesome.

[puffer21]

so then does my turtle look like the one in the picture so then is mine an anlligater snapper. oh and your snapper doesnt eat the other turtle

[capt. insano]

distribution maps for the alligator snapper say they are not indigenous to massachusetts

http://www.reptil-zoo.dk/Kort/UDB_Macroclemys_temminckii.gif

[Fat Man]

Schnapper web site Linky (http://www.chelydra.org/) .

[FalsePerc]

Originally posted by puffer21
oh and your snapper doesnt eat the other turtle
No, it eats it then spits it back up. :rolleyes:

[puffer21]

well what i meant is it doesnt try to eat the other turtle