How to Raise a North American Snapping Turtle Properly? A Detailed Guide to Keeping Methods

The North American snapping turtle generally refers to the North American snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), mainly found in southern and eastern Canada, and is now commonly kept as a pet on the market. So how should it be raised?

How to raise a North American snapping turtle?

1. Keeping container

The container for raising a North American snapping turtle can be a rectangular glass fish tank or a large storage box. The water depth is generally slightly higher than the turtle's shell; it does not need to be too deep, and at most should not exceed 2 times the height of the turtle's shell. At the same time, provide a stone that rises above the water surface so the turtle can climb up to bask its shell. You can also set up a feeding platform inside; when feeding, start by placing the food underwater at the feeding platform, then gradually move to feeding above water.

2. Changing the water

The water used for keeping should be tap water that has been left to sit for more than 2 days; prepare 2 plastic buckets for letting the water sit, for use when changing the water. It is recommended to change the water once every 2-3 days, and each time only change part of it; there is no need to change all the water in the tank. When changing part of the water, use a small plastic tube to siphon out the dirty water at the bottom by the siphon principle, then add the same volume of new water; this can provide the turtle with a relatively stable water quality environment.

3. Feed

Feeding should mainly consist of turtle feed, with appropriate additions of small fish, small shrimp, mealworms and other foods. When feeding, put the feed directly into the water; the feeding amount is generally a portion the size of their head.

4. Temperature

The suitable growth temperature for snapping turtles is 22-30 degrees; in winter, no heating is needed, and you can choose to let the turtle hibernate, but for relatively small turtles or turtles in relatively poor physical condition, it is still better not to hibernate them.

In addition, when raising North American snapping turtles, pay attention to doing a good job of disinfection and disease prevention and control, and do not feed unclean food.