My Alligator Snapping Turtle

photography, turtle, animal, wild
@loki1982 (780)
Dallas, Texas
February 16, 2016 7:03am CST
I have always loved reptiles. I have owned hundreds of snakes, lizards and turtles. One of my favorite pets has been my two Alligator Snapping Turtles. I bought theem about 10 years ago. I feed them fish, insect, koi and turtle food and whatever else comes around.
4 people like this
4 responses
@JudyEv (326091)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 16
I have read about these. I have always liked turtles - not so sure about the snapping ones!
1 person likes this
@loki1982 (780)
• Dallas, Texas
16 Feb 16
They are definitely not for beginners. They are very aggressive and will bite without hesitation. And there bite is strong enough to remove fingers.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326091)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 16
@loki1982 That does it! I won't be looking for one of them! The one in the photo doesn't look too happy.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
16 Feb 16
What is the lifespan of the turtles? I wonder if they will outlive you. If they get too big, what are you going to do? Donate them to the zoo? or release it into the wild?
1 person likes this
@loki1982 (780)
• Dallas, Texas
16 Feb 16
They will likely outlive me. They live something like 70-100 years. As they get larger I keep getting larger habitats. Right now the share a 200 gallon troth. They seem to get along fine while in the water, but if they are removed from the water they try to fight.
@LadyDuck (459033)
• Switzerland
16 Feb 16
I do not like reptiles, especially snakes and I also do not like this kind of turtles, while I like and respect koi fish.
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Feb 16
What a vicious prehistoric looking brute. Talk about armored. I would not stick a finger in that snout.