Snapping turtle care
Snapping turtles have a large head and a long tail. They have this name because of their repulsive and aggressive behaviour which often insists them to bite when being disturbed or handled. They love to stay in calm places like swamps, canals, ponds, etc. These turtle usually like to swim across the surface and don’t require basking area. The average height of snapping turtle is 18 inches. Some of the snapping turtle care tips are mentioned below that will help you in keeping your turtle healthy.
Snapping turtle care tips:
1. Food for snapping turtles: It is important for you to provide highly nutritive and full of vegetation diet to your pet snapping turtle. They like to have small reptiles, tiny mammals, fishes, invertebrates, amphibians, carrions and tiny birds in their diet. You can also include turtle pellets in your pet’s diet. waxworms, earthworms, feeder fishes, aquatic snails, lean beef meat, chicken and cricket are also good for snapping turtle. You should feed your young snapping with daphnia, shrimp, krill and blood worms. At times mashed fruits are also good for snapping turtle. It is advisable to consult the vet for necessary supplements of minerals and vitamins. You should feed your pet snapping turtle every alternate day keeping in mind to include the vitamin or mineral diet at least once a week.
2. Enclosure for your snapping turtle: it is important for you to provide proper tank to your pet snapping turtle. The basic requirements of the pet snapping turtle should be considered while purchasing tank for it. Young snapping turtle should be provided with a pen of nothing less than 20 gallons when it reaches its adolescence or adulthood. These turtle love to swim around and bask sometimes too.
3. Other Supplies for snapping turtle: Other supplies for snapping turtle are thermometer, pen lid, incandescent light, under tank heating source, humidity gauge, filtration system, light timer and full spectrum lighting source.
Healthy and clean environment should be provided to pet snapping turtle. This information will help you in creating comfiest atmosphere to your pet snapping turtle. If you notice any kind of change in your pet snapping turtle activities then immediately take it to a vet. It is advisable to change half of the water of the pen at least two times a week. You should thoroughly clean the substrates and pen at least once a week with bleaching solution.