How to Care for My New Baby Alligator Snapping Turtle

Baby alligator snapping turtles are freshwater turtles that grow up to be 155 to 175 pounds. They are omnivore reptiles that can live from 20 to 70 years. Baby alligator snapping turtles start out with a furry or fuzzy shell. This is perfectly normal as the shell slowly starts to harden as they grow. They spend most of their time in the water coming up to the surface to breathe every 40 to 50 minutes.

Things You'll Need

  • Ruler or measuring tape
  • 2 glass tanks
  • Water
  • Earthworms
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the length and width of your baby alligator snapping turtle's shell, and the length of the whole turtle in inches. You will need these measurements for putting together the turtle's tank.

    • 2

      Set up your tank. Your tank should be 10 gallons for every inch of the length of the turtle's shell. The tank should be wide and long rather than deep. Keep in mind baby alligator snapping turtles grow quickly and you might need to switch tanks often.

    • 3

      Fill your tank with water only. The depth of the water should be a little deeper than the turtle is wide. A turtle could drown in a tank that is too deep. Remember to add water as the turtle grows. Do not put any decorative items in the tank with the turtle; some plastic items could be dangerous.

    • 4

      Heat your baby alligator snapping turtle's water to around 68 degrees Fahrenheit by keeping the tank in a room temperature environment, or by keeping a small lamp shining in the tank. Do not keep a thermometer in the tank.

    • 5

      Filter the tank water by feeding the turtle in a different container and changing the water once a week.

    • 6

      Feed your baby alligator snapping turtle small pieces of earthworm once or twice a day. Make sure the earthworms were not raised in chemically treated soil and water, such as some worms available at bait shops or those raised in animal wastes.