The snapping turtle is a Northern US turtle. There are 2 distinct species of snapping turtle. The uniqueness of the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, is often overlooked simply due to how plentiful the snapping turtle is. With its huge head, ungainly build, outsized tail, and vicious disposition, it presents a unusual picture when found on land. The snapping turtle is a thoroughly marine animal, rarely willingly leaving the water except to lay its eggs. The eggs are round in shape and have been likened to ping-pong balls. Snapping turtle eggs normally need about three months to hatch, but there have been cases in which the babies have spent the winter within their eggs and emerged in the spring. Baby snapping turtles measure just over an inch in shell length and conform themselves readily to an aquarium arrangement with a few inches of water and two rocks.
The snapper is neither a swift nor graceful swimmer. The snapping turtle is primarily a bottom-walking species and will make use of the rocks to stick out its head now and then to obtain air and survey its surroundings. Snapping turtles survive on a diet primarily made of fish and whatever meat they can find. In prison so long as the snapping kept on a well-balanced diet, the snapper does not require sunlight or even lighting. Fairly cool water, 65 to 70 degrees, seems to suit it best; it is one of the hardiest turtles in prison. The alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys lemmincki, is one of the biggest fresh-water turtles in existence. A completely grown specimen may have a shell length of over two feet and reach a weight north of 200 pounds.
In natural habitats, snapping turtles are found from southern Canada to Florida and the alligator snapping turtle can be discovered in the souther United States. The alligator snapping turtle can also now be found in parts of Europe and China due to the pet trade and untrustworthy owners letting then loose in natural settings.
Both the common and the alligator snappers are ready biters when out of water and can impose substantial damage with their strong jaws. The alligator snapper is not as agile as the common snapper and notwithstanding its larger size it is no where near as aggressive and its smaller cousin. Either species could be safely handled by its long tail, held well away from one's body. No massive snapper should be lifted by the tail though as lifting them by the tail is likely to break the vertebrae in the tail and can actually lead directly to death.
Large snapping turtles of either species are very predaceous creatures, and no other animal is safe in an enclosure with them. Both kinds of snappers become quite tame in an aquarium and will grow quickly if cared for properly. Entire or sliced raw fish with bones included is the best food for the alligator snapper; the shell quickly softens if the animal does not receive an adequate intake of calcium. Though shy naturally, alligator snappers in aquariums will learn to contend with other turtles for any bits of food offered. The best arrangement for a snapper is nevertheless , an aquarium or outdoor pool of its own. The two species of snapping turtles resemble one another in appearance, but each is sort of distinct and there is not any interbreeding in areas where their ranges overlap.
The snapper is neither a swift nor graceful swimmer. The snapping turtle is primarily a bottom-walking species and will make use of the rocks to stick out its head now and then to obtain air and survey its surroundings. Snapping turtles survive on a diet primarily made of fish and whatever meat they can find. In prison so long as the snapping kept on a well-balanced diet, the snapper does not require sunlight or even lighting. Fairly cool water, 65 to 70 degrees, seems to suit it best; it is one of the hardiest turtles in prison. The alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys lemmincki, is one of the biggest fresh-water turtles in existence. A completely grown specimen may have a shell length of over two feet and reach a weight north of 200 pounds.
In natural habitats, snapping turtles are found from southern Canada to Florida and the alligator snapping turtle can be discovered in the souther United States. The alligator snapping turtle can also now be found in parts of Europe and China due to the pet trade and untrustworthy owners letting then loose in natural settings.
Both the common and the alligator snappers are ready biters when out of water and can impose substantial damage with their strong jaws. The alligator snapper is not as agile as the common snapper and notwithstanding its larger size it is no where near as aggressive and its smaller cousin. Either species could be safely handled by its long tail, held well away from one's body. No massive snapper should be lifted by the tail though as lifting them by the tail is likely to break the vertebrae in the tail and can actually lead directly to death.
Large snapping turtles of either species are very predaceous creatures, and no other animal is safe in an enclosure with them. Both kinds of snappers become quite tame in an aquarium and will grow quickly if cared for properly. Entire or sliced raw fish with bones included is the best food for the alligator snapper; the shell quickly softens if the animal does not receive an adequate intake of calcium. Though shy naturally, alligator snappers in aquariums will learn to contend with other turtles for any bits of food offered. The best arrangement for a snapper is nevertheless , an aquarium or outdoor pool of its own. The two species of snapping turtles resemble one another in appearance, but each is sort of distinct and there is not any interbreeding in areas where their ranges overlap.
About the Author:
G. Weir is an amateur herpetologist and runs the Turtles As Pets Tips website. For more information about different types of turtles as pets visit http://turtlesaspetstips.com.
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