DIY Snapping Turtle Trap

Snapping turtles can be dangerous to be around--they may snap at you or your children if they get too close or feel threatened in some way. Therefore, often snapping turtles are caught and relocated to avoid just this type of situation. Many snapping turtle traps involve simple nets that offer bait on one end, and an opening on another. The turtle swims through, but upon turning around, can't escape. There is another trap that uses this same principle that you can make at home that is a little more sturdy--not to mention cheaper.

  1. Materials for the Trap

    • This is a metal cage trap and it is fairly simple to make. The first thing you need is to obtain the proper materials, which consist of 4 large BBQ grates--the kind that you cook the meat on. These are strong, and they hold up well under pressure--plus they are easy to find and inexpensive. Once you've obtained four of the same kind, get yourself two smaller ones. You also need wire, two springs, and about 4 to 6, 2 liter bottles (empty, but with a cap). Rope and a fish to use for bait are also needed. Once you have all of these materials, it's time to start building your trap.

    Building the Trap

    • To build the trap, the first thing you have to do is to create a box out of the BBQ grates. Use the grates to make the top and two sides of the cage trap. Connect them together with enough wire to be secure and strong. After you have the frame of the cage, use one of the smaller BBQ grates and attach it to the back of the cage with wire. It may be oversized, which is fine, but just make sure that it is not too small, as you don't want the turtle to finagle its way out through a hole. The trap should now be sturdy and ready for the front opening/door. Take your other small BBQ grate and slide it inside of the opening to the crate. If it is the proper size, it should rest in there at an angle. The top of the grate should connect with the top of the opening, and the bottom should be angled inward toward the back of the trap, so that the bottom of the grate rests a few inches inside of the opening. Connect the top of the grate to the opening with wires, making hinges of sorts. Don't connect the sides with wires, however, connect the two springs to the sides of the small grate. This will allow the turtle to push the grate inward, step inside, and then when it is clear, the springs will pull the door back down and not allow the turtle to get out. Finally, fill the four bottles with air, and connect them around the trap, halfway down the sides with rope or wire. These will allow the trap to float in the water. Turtles need air, so they have to be able to reach the surface while they're in the trap or they'll die--the bottles allow for that.

    Setting the Trap

    • Place a small dead fish inside the trap on a piece of string or rope. Go to a spot where you have seen snapping turtles--this is usually in shallow water, normally near fallen logs or tree branches--and tie the trap near this spot. You don't want to lose all your hard work, so secure it tightly so it doesn't float away. Leave the trap overnight, and hopefully you'll have a snapping turtle in the morning. If you do happen to catch a turtle, be wary, as snapping turtles can be very dangerous. Always be careful and observant, and use precautions to avoid getting in reach of their jaws. Otherwise, you should be able to capture and relocate the turtles with little problem.