Alligator Snapping Turtle

Alligator Snapping Turtle

(Macroclemys temminckii)

Distribution
This large freshwater turtle is protected throughout all of its range in the wild except in the State of Louisiana, where it is still-hunted for food.
Alligator Snapping Turtles are crepuscular/nocturnal Chelonia. Snappers range throughout the ponds, waterways, marshes and swamplands of Central and Southern USA.
Prior to getting this species research as much as possible and if possible spend time with a current keeper to see if this is the species for you, it is also worth joining your local reptile society/group as they will be able to give you hints and tips (and you may be able to do the same for them).
Most occurrences from outside of this range have been found to be pet releases after they have grown too large.
Size
Alligator Snappers can reach sizes of up to 70cm (28 inches). Although there is an account of one which reached 80cm (31.5”) and weighed 113.9kg (251lb).
Take into account when purchasing this turtle that as an adult it will be extremely large, heavy and potentially dangerous to lift.
Diet
Alligator Snappers eat a large variety of foods in the wild ranging from insects, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles (including baby Alligators), fishes and birds. In order to replicate this in captivity as large a variety as possible should be offered to your snapping turtle, this can include; earthworms, wax worms, crickets, locusts, woodlice, snails (from non-pesticide sprayed areas), shellfish, Fish (preferably freshwater such as trout, minnows, goldfish, etc), Birds (small chickens, and game birds) and Small mammals (mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, baby rabbits, etc).
This species of turtle has been known to snap a broom handle with its jaws as an adult, so please use tongs and do not hand feed.
Requirements

• Heat Source: - The heat source should always be thermostatically controlled and guarded to prevent thermal burns. Heat sources, which can be used for this species, are reflector spot light (green or red) or ceramic heaters for the land area. This should be turned off at night. For the water, a thermostatically controlled water heater will be required; this will need guarding and if possible installing inside the water pump (if a large external one is used) to prevent the turtles from destroying it.
• Ultra Violet Light Source: - This is essential for this species and the best brand to use at present is the Reptisun 10.0 or 5.0. It should be positioned no more than 30cm away from the basking animal and left on for 10-12 hours daily. This should be replaced every 6-7 months depending on the manufacturer’s advice. Care should be taken if your reptile has unpigmented eyes (amelanistic or albinos or any other red eyed morph) as it can damage their eyes. UV lights should never be placed behind glass or plastic as this filters out the essential UV rays. Vitamin D3 supplements should not be used whilst UV lighting is used.
• Thermostat: - These should always be used on heat sources to prevent excessive temperatures damaging your reptile.
• Housing: - Due to their shy nature the enclosure should be situated away from drafty, busy areas of the house and well away from any vibrations such as speakers, TVs, etc as the vibrations distress the animals. Snappers grow extremely rapidly and will outgrow a small aquarium in next to no time. An aquarium of 240cm by 120cm by 120cm (8 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet) is adequate for an adult Alligator Snapper. Indoor pools and surface mounted ponds are by far better for this species than aquariums. The sizes given are only a guide and more space can be used if available.
• Thermometers: - One should be placed at either end of the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat, as this is often incorrect.
• Hides: - These are an essential part of any vivarium as they provide the animals with an area to escape from the stresses of over exposure. Juveniles can use cork bark, stones and flower pots, but once they pass 6 inches they can destroy most hides so these should be secured with silicon, chains, etc to prevent them damaging themselves and the enclosure. These should be fitted under water. Floating cork bark is also good.
• Filtration: - This is important to reduce foul smells and to keep the water clean. Under gravel filters do not work very well for snappers. You would be well advised to buy either a large internal filter or an external filter to help cope with the mess created by such creatures.
• Land areas: - Two land areas should be available to your Snapper. One area should be for basking and have a heat source above it. The other area should be away from the heat source, to allow the Snapper to escape from the heat source.

Water and Humidity
These animals do not require vast amounts of water. The water should be of a depth of approximately twice the height of the animal or as a rough guide not much deeper than 10 to 15cm (4 to 6 inches).
Temperature
The water temperature should be in the region of 26 - 29.5°C (78 - 85°F) and should be maintained using a thermostatically controlled water heater. A basking area should be available with the temperature ranging from 28 - 31°C (82 - 86°F).
Longevity
The average lifespan for one of these immense turtles is between 25 and 40 years although some have been recorded living just over 70 years.

N.B.
Snapping Turtles are highly aggressive animals and can give a painful bite if threatened. Snapping Turtles should be housed individually due to this aggressive temperament. Only minimal taming will occur with handling. These turtles are only suitable for experienced keepers and public displays.
Substrate
A soil and gravel substrate should be available on one of the land areas to allow the females to lay eggs.
NB – Photograph taken by Peter Heathcote at Krazy World in the Algarve.
A good distribution map can be found on http://www.markoshea.tv/series1/series01-05.html
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
Stuart Dodsworth – stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society – www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society – www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information – EMBL relevant site will be added at a later date.
Tortoise Trust – www.tortoisetrust.org
BCG – British Chelonia Group – http://www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/aquatic.html - feeding guides.
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/smpond.html - Surface mounted ponds.
http://www.pondturtle.com/lturtle.html#Macroclemys - Data on longevity of Alligator Snappers.
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=1227 - non-indigenous occurrences of snappers.
http://www.chelydra.org - The best source of information on the net on Ali-Snappers.
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/macrocl.html
http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/animals/species/4484.html
http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html - cites info.

	Morph A morph is a color or pattern variation that is proven to be genetic. Common morphs include albino, anerythristic, gentically striped, Hypomelanistic, and many others. Morphs also include combinations of simple traits such as "Sunglow" which is Albino and Hypomelanistic. These traits may be recessive traits, co-dominant traits, dominant traits, or created through selective breeding (ie Pastel).