Florida Snapping Turtle

1 Overview

The Florida snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina osceola) – also called Florida snapper, common snapper, false snapper, flat-back snapper – is a subspecies of the common snapping turtle with the most developed head and neck spikes, its key identification. From Florida and southern Georgia. Omnivorous-leaning-carnivorous: fish, shrimp, frogs, salamanders, small snakes, ducks, waterbirds, plus aquatic plants and fallen fruit; nocturnal feeder.

2 Appearance

The 3rd vertebral scute’s front width equals or exceeds the 2nd pleural. Narrow pale-yellow plastron. Large head, eyes near the snout. Tail with three serrated keels from base to tip. A fierce carnivore taking many wild animals. When approached it hisses from the throat as a warning and attacks. Hatchlings lively; adults very aggressive – far more so than the northern subspecies. Likes high temperatures.

3 Care (Hatchling Selection)

Most keepers raise from hatchlings; it grows fast and gets large, so choose a good hatchling. The head spikes are clear in juveniles – flat, also on the skull cap; out of water they lie flat, in water they lift slightly. Choose ordered, large, uniform spikes. Body colour or pattern is personal: brown, yellow or near-black; juveniles darker. Carapace with some black blotches, skirt with black-white spots.

Hatchling shell is even-width front and back (vs northern ‘flying-saucer’ narrow-front); eyes sit more toward the snout than the northern; eyelids pale or grey; head blunter and larger than the northern.

4 Habitat & Environment

A typical water turtle prone to skin rot and pneumonia from falling water quality or temperature – give a good environment. Water depth just above the shell; provide a rock to bask; needs sun (or daily indoor UV about 10+ min). Southeast-facing sun 1-2 h, with shade to avoid heatstroke; control algae with algaecide.

Water: use dechlorinated (2-day-aged) tap water, two buckets to rotate; change 1/3 every 2-3 days, siphon bottom dirt. Below 13 C from October to May it brumates in shallow water (just over the shell), change monthly, keep above 6 C.

5 Diet & Feeding

Loves meat but also takes pellets. Feed in water; chop pork, beef, shrimp, small fish or liver (these foul water, so feed outside the tank or use good pellets like Mingyun or Cunjin). Summer: daily or every other day (slow metabolism); always provide water. Portion about head plus neck size.