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Should I let a rescued baby snapping turtle hibernate?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 2:16 pm
by ScorchedDragon
So I've been taking care of a baby snapping turtle I found on pavement, and I heard that at this time they prepare for hibernation, he hasn't been eating and I have yet to take him to the vet as it's only been two days since finding him, so I don't know if he is sick in any way yet. Any advice is appreciated!

Re: Should I let a rescued baby snapping turtle hibernate?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 8:37 pm
by steve
Where are you located? What are your winters like? If you are interested in keeping him, you need to have a plan for the long-term. So you need to factor in the space you have, resources for equipment, etc.

Re: Should I let a rescued baby snapping turtle hibernate?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 8:56 pm
by ScorchedDragon
The winters here are pretty cold, and we are expecting a lot of snow this year. I think he still has his yolk but I'm not sure, that could be why he isn't eating, I plan on getting some turtle pellets in the morning and see if he eats those. I also plan on getting a lamp for him. Would a need a water heater at this point, where I don't have an aquarium tank yet? I went to clean his tub and let him walk around a bit outside while I watched him, and after that he was a lot more active , I added sand to the tub, as I noticed when he was walking that he would try and dig. I'm just wondering if I should let him hibernate or not, considering most of the wild snappers around the area just hatched and are preparing for hibernation themselves.

Re: Should I let a rescued baby snapping turtle hibernate?

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 4:34 am
by steve
I would think he's too young for hibernation. You might want to re-check a forum for snappers, I don't want to leave out any info on his care.

Re: Should I let a rescued baby snapping turtle hibernate?

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 11:08 am
by ScorchedDragon
Thanks, should I let him continue this habit? Or will he end up falling and breaking his shell/tail/etc ?

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Re: Should I let a rescued baby snapping turtle hibernate?

PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:55 am
by steve
If the water is too shallow, he can get stuck (and drown) if he flips over and does not have enough depth to up right himself.

Re: Should I let a rescued baby snapping turtle hibernate?

PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:35 pm
by ScorchedDragon
I'm going out to buy a heater and filter for a big plastic tub I bought that is significantly bigger than what he is now, but I've read about heater breakage and worry about the little one being shocked, any suggestions?