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Snapping Turtles
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by TheFifthDay on January 29, 2010
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Has anyone on here has happened to raise a common snapper from a little thing?
I was wondering if a wild-caught hatchling that is handled somewhat frequently will be aggressive as an adult.
Thanks in advance,
Jon Short
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RE: Snapping Turtles
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by theemojohnm on January 29, 2010
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I have a few common snappers and a few alligator snappers. Most of which are very old and started out here, very small.
Some may disagree, but a reptile cannot be "tamed"..
I think the phrase "you can take a snake out of the wild, but can never the wild out of the snake." applies here.
You can always count on them to surprise you.
My oldest common snapper has been become somewhat accustom to me moving him around, cage cleanings, ect and to some people may look “tame” compared to most snappers.
Would I try petting him on the head..? NO..
I think that yes, raising a juvenile eventually allows the animal to get used to captive routine, and lessens the stress on the animals (and need to defend itself) later during it’s adult life.
But, that is not the same thing as the animal being "tame"..
No matter how calm, I would certainly not get close enough to the jaws an adult snapper, just as you wouldn't get your hands close enough to a venomous snake to risk a bite..
Thankfully, snappers are a bit more clumsy than snakes.. However, large snappers have no problems removing fingers, and portions of flesh.
Just keep in mind, they are going to behave the way they normally do.
Take Care,
-John Mendrola.
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RE: Snapping Turtles
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by pictigaster1 on January 29, 2010
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I have raised one from the egg to 50 pounds .It is a turtle that lives 98 % of its life in the water not a dog.Not meant to be tame.
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RE: Snapping Turtles
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by snakeguy101 on January 29, 2010
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I have raised four w/c hatchlings into adulthood and none of them became tame at all. These turtles cannot be handled on a regular basis except for enclosure maintenance. It is not like you can have them out for shows and let people pet them because these guys are just too aggressive not to mention the risk of salmonella poisoning. For the most part, snappers should be left alone and admired from afar, trust me, if you start to trust them, they will bite (and it is not pleasant).
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RE: Snapping Turtles
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by Rob_Carmichael on January 29, 2010
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I'll share a different angle. I know someone well who raised a common snapper from a baby. Now, he's a little whacky but these two are very close. This turtle is now over 60 pounds and he can hold it like a baby, throw it on his shoulder and the turtle will stretch its neck out and loves to have this area scratched. It's a beautiful specimen. So, yes, even wild animals, on occasion can be tamed. I had a similar scenario with a very special King Cobra named "Thai". There are exceptions to everything. We have a young common snapper at my nature center that is as calm as can be - never bites, never even tries. Do I full trust him? NO, but h's another exception to the rule.
Personally, I can't think of a collection that is complete w/out one of these garbage disposals on hand. Great way to recycle!
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RE: Snapping Turtles
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by pictigaster1 on January 29, 2010
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Rob I know a lady who has one that does the same thing.It is about 10 pounds not to big but this is a risky play thing.
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RE: Snapping Turtles
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by theemojohnm on January 29, 2010
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Can reptiles become accustomed to routine handling, and maintanence? Yes.
Can they be tamed? Abosulutely not.
I think it is rather arrogant to assume that we think similarly enough to realte. They are not dogs. They are greatly, non-communicative to others of their species, and most are solitary creatures.
Affection isn't something their brains have been designed for, at least not "affection" in the sense we seem to recognize..
The slightest irritation or spook often makes these potentially dangerous but "tame" reptiles react when startle. Sudenly, that specimen is not "tame" anymore..? A few seconds is all it takes.
I agree with Rob in regards that no collection is complete without a snapping garbe disposal, and I do not "fear" working with any of the specimens I have here.
For the most part, we interact perfectly fine.
Again, would I repeatedly attempt to "pet" a turtle that would likely eventually get annoyed by my presence and chomp my hand to let me know..?
No, because there are no guarantees. Reptiles cannot be considered "tame", in any form.
Sure. they learn after a period that you are not a threat, and calm down.. However, it is still not a "tame", animal.. At least not in a sense we accept.
Take Care,
-John Mendrola.
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RE: Snapping Turtles
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by TheFifthDay on January 29, 2010
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I was not talking about taming them.. I was just wodering because I've only been around two or three adults, all wild, and they were all horribly tempered.
But at the same time, I love snappers.. I have three right now. Two are very small, about 2" shell length. The other is larger, about a 4" shell length. Right now they all tolerate being "handled" for cage cleaning...
I was just wanting to know if they'd continue to tolerate it.
Thanks again,
Jon Short
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RE: Snapping Turtles
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by theemojohnm on January 29, 2010
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Yes, most will tolerate minimal handling and routine interaction..
Just don't be like some, and become complacent.
Turtles don't like to be "cudled".. LOL.
With rountine, stress-free interaction, they will learn to deal with handling (being moved for cage cleanings, etc.).
Take Care,
-John Mendrola.
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