How to Take Care of a Red Eyed Snapping Turtle

Believe it or not, red-eyed snapping turtles can make quite good pets, as long as proper care is administered. However, it is important to know that red-eyed snapping turtles can be dangerous to own, as they can sometimes confuse their owner's fingers with worms and bite them, according to TurtleHomes.org. Many snapping turtles are docile, but can grow to be rather large, sometimes reaching 60 lbs. or more. Before you consider owning a red-eyed snapping turtle, is important to know how to take care of this behemoth of a pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass aquarium
  • Water
  • Filter system
  • UVB light
  • Food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy a glass aquarium that is the proper size for your snapper. In general, you should provide 10 gallons of water for every inch your snapper's shell is long. For instance, a snapper with a 10-inch-long shell should stay in a 100-gallon tank. Keep in mind that baby snappers grow quick---a 1-inch baby can grow into a 7-inch juvenile in two years.

    • 2

      Pour in enough water so that the snapper can rest on the bottom of the tank, but reach its head out of the water. Red-eyed snappers spend a majority of their time resting on the bottom of the tank, but will reach up out of the water when they need to breathe. If your snapper is forced to swim in order to obtain air, it could die from the energy expenditure.

    • 3

      Place only water in your snapper's tank. Avoid placing gravel, plastic plants, marbles, decorations or other objects in your turtle's tank, as it will likely eat them.

    • 4

      Place a filter system in your snapper's tank. Filter systems will remove any debris or waste in the tank. In an effort to keep your tank as clean as possible, consider removing solid waste with a turkey baster, feeding your snapper in a separate tank and changing your snapper's water weekly.

    • 5

      Provide your snapper with UVB light, if it does not receive this natural lighting in its environment. Purchase a tank hood that contains a UVB light, or hang a light over the tank. Avoid placing your turtle's tank in a window, as the sun can cause the water to become too hot and the sunlight could cause algae to grow in the tank.

    • 6

      Feed your snapper floating turtle pellets, along with live food, such as minnows, night crawlers, crayfish and crickets. In addition, provide your turtle with cooked, lean meats, including chicken. Snappers also eat vegetables and often enjoy cooked sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Wash all produce before giving them to your red-eyed snapper.