Whilst I too very much like The Turtles with attitude, such as the Common Snapper (Chelydra serpentina) its cousin the Alligator Snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminickii) and have kept them both in my personal collection for very many years, (25+ years) I certainly would not recommend them as an ideal captive animal.
You only have to look at the earlier thread from a rather desperate keeper in Kent who is struggling to get rid of his beheamouth!!
Aside the link to the caresheet on Austins Turtle page, I would also recommend, as usual a lot more reading before any animal like this is considered.
In the very many years that I have kept aquatic Chelonia, which is now over Fifty years I have seen all too often hugely obese Snappers sulking in their owners tanks. They really do deserve better.

The attached article was written by me and published a few years ago in the British Chelonia Group Newsletter- It may also help anybody considering this group of Turtles in captivity?

Maintaining Monsters- Paul H Eversfield.


From childhood, I have kept Tortoises and Terrapins. The great fascination of this group of animals, is their enormous diversity. From completely aquatic turtles, through to desert living tortoises they range in many different forms.
In the aquatic range of fresh water turtles there are some real MONSTERS, which can grow to an enormous size. These, I describe as
“Turtles with attitude”.
Though clearly not for the beginner, these animals can provide very interesting captive charges. To illustrate this, I set out some husbandry techniques, which have proved suitable for the long-term maintenance of such Turtles.

1. Alligator Snapping Turtle ( Macroclemmys temminickii);
Native of the southern states of the USA. This is one of the largest fresh water turtles in the world with adult males growing throughout their long life to sizes of 100lbs plus.
In nature, they occupy the river drainage of the Mississippi and occur throughout Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama and Northern Florida. As a species, they are adapted to life in flooded swamps, ox bow lakes and ponds. They are relatively sedentary in habit, with limited range as individuals, providing food and water conditions are suitable. Males tend to be more mobile and in the breeding season, will move about seeking available females.
This sedentary nature means that in captivity they can be maintained in relatively small aquarium or tanks. They should however be for the most part kept singularly, as aggressive behaviour towards other turtles even their own kind, can cause serious injury.
A number of people in the USA regularly breed this species now in captivity. As a consequence, they are offered for sale as hatchlings in limited numbers. However, as hatchlings, the diminutive size belies its potential to grow to a monstrous adult! Before anybody considers taking on such an animal as a captive, they must appreciate its future dimension.
The unique feature of this species is the lure appendage on its tongue. This is used to attract fish into its gaping jaws. – A real living fish trap!
The hatchling should be maintained in shallow water. They are not good swimmers and in water too deep they may well drown. Optimum water temperature of 24-26 degrees centigrade is satisfactory. Feeding principally on fresh fish, the turtle will thrive. It is important not to use whole fish, which have previously been frozen as to my cost; I have learnt about the problem of thiaminase poisoning.
As with all fresh water turtles, water quality is very important and filtration is essential. With large carnivorous turtles, their waste requires adequate treatment to remove pollutants such as ammonia.
External canister filtration is probably the best for ease of maintenance. There are a number of manufacturers who produce good models for such a purpose.

With all aquatic turtles, large quantities of particular waste matter can cause blockage and regular attention is required to keep the flow of the filter operating at acceptable levels.
From experience with this species, fish oil and other food particles collect around the rubber parts of the intake. Large Snapping turtles will eat these parts. Therefore, be careful it can result in very expensive Vet bills.
The Alligator Snapping turtle along with it’s cousin the Common Snapping Turtle are really only suitable for institutions, or specialist keepers.
However, there is a group of smaller Turtles from central and southern states of the USA. The Kinosternidae, are more suitable for the private hobbyist. These Mud turtles are similar in character to their monster cousins, but because of size are better suited to the home aquarium. The group comprises some nineteen species, and takes their name from the hinged plastron. They range throughout central and North America, and extend into the South America.

The Red Cheeked Mud Turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides cruentatum)

An example of this group, the Red Cheeked Mud Turtle, occurs in Central America. Mexico, and neighbouring countries such as Honduras.
The turtle is relatively small with adults measuring 10/12cm. Males are distinctive in that as they mature, their tail elongates with a sharp spur at the tip. A common name for these and some of their close cousins is Scorpion Mud Turtle. The Red cheeked Mud turtle has reddish blush around the head, which in breeding condition is very pronounced in the male.
These highly aquatic turtles live in slow moving rivers and ponds and tend to be very crepuscular, rarely basking above water at all. Their diet is made up of crustaceans and molluscs, but they will also take fish and carrion.
I have maintained a group of these animals for a number of years and regularly breed them in captivity. My adults are one male and two females, which are kept in an aquarium, 112cm x 46cm x 31cm. The water is maintained at 26 degrees centigrade, and is filtered by an external canister filter. The aquarium has a substrate of large granite pebbles (cobbles). They share this environment with a shoal of Tetra, and Neon swords. The fish interact well and are not predated if the animals are fed regularly (daily). Feeding for the most part is high quality Cichlid pellet, and shellfish. Occasionally, worms, snails and other live insect food are also offered.
Mating occurs several times throughout the year, and is usually initiated following a significant water change. I have found with many tropical species of Turtle a 50% or greater water change stimulates courtship and mating. Perhaps the sudden change in temperature mirrors the onset of a “wet season”. In any case, following a successful coupling after three to four weeks the females seek to nest and will leave the water to lay their ellipsoid hard shelled eggs. They will lay between two and four eggs in a clutch, which are incubated at 29-30 degrees centigrade. The eggs take 69-75 days to hatch.
I have kept Turtles from this group for over forty years. Indeed one of the first animals my parents allowed me to keep at home as a pet was an Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum). Their pugnacious temperament and active foraging habit in the aquarium is totally fascinating. Indeed, the group of Red cheeked mud turtles shares my office and regularly holds visitor’s attention for ages. They are never sure what the “living pebbles” are going to do next.