How to Build a House for a Snapping Turtle

Even though snapping turtles, and all turtles, amble around with their own personal house attached to their backs, they might like a variation now and again. You can build a house for a snapping turtle with a few simple supplies and some equally simple steps. Since snapping turtles get quite large, usually more than a foot in length, you’ll want something he can easily move in and out of and sturdy enough that it won’t fall down. You can build a house for snapping turtle that does both.

Things You'll Need

  • Turtle set up in glass aquarium with screen top
  • Gravel
  • Large plastic container
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your turtle’s tank to make sure whatever house you make will fit inside. While a snapping turtle’s tank can start out small for a baby turtle, you will eventually want to get at least a 30 gallon long tank for a big turtle to move freely in.

    • 2

      Create a place to put the house. One side of the tank should be dedicated to swimming and filled with water. Use gravel to create a mound on the other side where the turtle can climb out of the water and hang out. You will want to put the house on the gravel mound, so make sure it’s packed firmly and wide enough for the house.

    • 3

      Choose the house materials. Since the tank is wet, the best bet is to use plastic or another material that will not rot, like wood would. Jean Adamson, a writer for the Turtle Homes Web site, recommends using a plastic cat litter container—without the cat litter in it, of course—or a large, plastic stepping stool. She advises turning the litter tray upside down and cutting a hole for a doorway. The stepping stool already has openings for the turtle to exit, enter and look out. Secure the items with a large rock on top so the turtle does not knock them over.

    • 4

      Be creative. If neither the cat litter tray nor the stool work for you, take a gander down the storage container aisle of your local variety store and see if there is a rubberized plastic container you can adapt for your turtle. The main concerns are making sure it does not collapse on him, has ample openings for him to move through and does not have any hard or sharp pieces that can hurt him or stab his eye out. Cut holes in the container as necessary with a pair of snips.