This weekend we went camping by a river. We where swimming and i saw a baby turtle. And i picked him up at showed my friends i had him since noon today ( sunday August 20) . And he was a snapper. I asked my mom when we got back if i could keep him and she said no because he might snap me. But he hasn't even hissed at me yet what do you think.
Answers:
turn it lose
it is a baby they don't hiss or snap yet when they are older they will snap it is not a good idea it is better to get one from the pet store that is a original turtle.
It will when it is an adult
http://www.chelydra.org/snapping_turtle_. (check it out!)
http://www.turtlehomes.org/usa/snappingt.
I would suggest doing a lot of research on the species to see if it can fit into your lifestyle. Turtles need outdoor ponds, they mostly live in the water. Turtles are also notorious for escaping, it's amazing how they can do it. I believe aquariums to be cruel, turtles usually bang against them their whole life not figuring them out. Also, dogs are turtles worst enemy, they don't mix. Turtles carry salmonella, you must wash your hand with anti-bacterial every time. If you think you can work with this to start with and can handle the biting factor, do some more research and learn more how to take care of it the right way. I wouldn't recommend pet stores, their turtles are usually stressed. A good resource available at libraries is "Turtles and Tortoises for Dummies", by Liz Palika. Who knows, you may ever find a species in there that my suit you better (like not bite). If so, check on the web for rescues in your area. they're free and really need good homes.
If it is indeed a snapping turtle, BAD idea to keep it. If it's just some other species of aquatic turtle, still a pretty bad idea to keep it. Animals born in the wild should stay in the wild, and if it happens to be an alligator a snapper it may be protected where you live. To keep a turtle properly required a lot of time, space, and $$$$. It won't be a baby for long. It will be much happier if you let it go where you found it.
i own a turtle farm, they dont bite if you pick em up by the back!
It is NOT a good idea to try to keep pets that you find in the wild. They will never do as well as a captive bred speciman will, and are often infested with parasites.
Snappers can make great pets, but they take a lot of set-up. Big tank, good filtration, good lighting, heating control, quality diet, etc. They grow quickly, can get pretty dang big, and have big appetites.
When they get a little bigger, they do indeed get more aggressive- especially if properly cared for. They can inflict a nasty injury in a heartbeat and that greatly complicates cares.
I know the thing is cute. now, but will it still be cute when it is 30 pounds, a foot long, needs a 100 gallon tank, and is eating big things like fish and chicken?
why would you keep something you find outside? im not trying to be mean or anything. but would you just wanna be picked up while playing outside by some stranger? plus if you keep it, it will probably die. it could have a sickness too. it was raised outside. i dont think it can adapt to you house. please visit my source. i know its about birds but it still applies
leave it in peace!
Caring for turtles properly is not easy. You need a very large enclosure. Special heating special lighting a really good filtration system and a lot of other things. This can be very difficult not to mention very expensive. You and the turtle are better off letting it go where you found it.
