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Anonymous
Dear /an/,
I has an... uh... shelled reptile. Found this lil fella on the side of the road on my way home from work. Whatizit, turtle or tortoise? How does I tell?
>> Anonymous
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Also, his spoon is too big.
>> Anonymous
That is a baby Snapping Turtle or perhaps Alligator Snapping Turtle. Note the long tail and the angled plates on the carapace.
>> BitterAnon !!WJLRQ1cwCyZ
Seconding alligator snapper. Don't let the fucker get your fingers.
>> Anonymous
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>>248386
Noted. I don't know this from that when it comes to about any animal, but I knew quite a few people here on /an/ probably would. Thanks for the quick response. Has some more pics. Now also taking /r/s for pics with my new turtle. :D
>> Anonymous
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alligator snapper
>> Anonymous
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>>248394
He seems very mellow though... not at all the finger-eating type. Speaking of eats, what can I get this little bugger to gnash on while he waits for a proper tank with delicious reptile pellets?
>> Anonymous
You got an endangered alligator snapper, and therefore you can't keep it. Call animal control to put it back into the wild.
>> Anonymous
>>248399

Small feeder fish.

Next time find a box turtle so you can give it frozen veggies.
>> Anonymous
>>248399

They aren't that agressive, it's just that they are capable of doing serious damage when they do bite. That little guy could draw blood easily, and they can bite very very quicky.

Just be careful and you'll be fine.

There's plenty of info online. Just google it....
>> Anonymous
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>>248401
This reptile seeks a second opinion.
>> Anonymous
>>248401

they aren't endangered in the US. They're "vulnerable". That means they're NOT endangered, but they might become endangered in the near future.
>> Anonymous
They're endangered in a few states (however that works). Where do you live, OP?
>> Anonymous
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>>248404
>>248407
Hoorah, supportive anons! Well, off to google I go. Let me know if there's any other urgent things I should know about my new friend. Otherwise, thanks again /an/!
>> Anonymous
>>248406

alligator snapper alright. This picture makes it very clear. It's got it all:

Long tail
Webbed feet (clearly an aquatic turtle)
The pointed plates
AND the number-1 key sign:

The three rows of "spiked" plates down the back of the carapace.

Do a google search. Read about the alligator snapper and confirm that what you have matches it. Check some images online, etc.
>> Anonymous
baby alligator snapper...don't tell fish and wildlife
>> Anonymous
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>>248408
In the beautifuly dull state of Delaware. I'll look into his status myself, I guess.
>> Anonymous
That think looks like it hatched merely days ago...
>> Anonymous
Delaware Regulations - 7 DNREC 3000

15.2.2 - One individual of the following species may be collected and possessed without a permit - DBT, Eastern Box Turtle, Eastern mud, painted, redbelly, snapping turtles
>> Anonymous
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>>248418
Thank you, kind anon.

>>248416
It's quite possible. Even though I found him nowhere near water, we did just have an xbox-heuge storm. He mighta got sucked-up and rained down :o
>> Anonymous
Do research if you want the turtle to survive, and call a vet that specializes in reptiles.

I have a red eared slider and though it's different from a snapper, one thing I'm sure they have in common is that they are a lot of work and effort to care for. The snapper is tiny now so it shouldn't be a concern yet, but if he's cared for well he will grow and grow, so you need big tank. Also make sure properly heated, with a basking area and perhaps an underwater heater (not sure if snappers need them, other water turtles definitely do). Good luck!
>> Anonymous
That's a very adorable little turtle you have there. Let's just hope he doesn't eat your finger.
>> BitterAnon !!WJLRQ1cwCyZ
I'm pretty sure you shouldn't be handling him that much.

Keep in mind that, as other anons have mentioned, snapping turtles can grow fucking huge, and alligator snapping turtles can grow xbox controller huge. They also make a (almost literal) shitton of waste.

And you probably won't be able to pawn him off to a pet store or zoo or aquariam if he gets too much for you to handle.

Grats on your little dude, please keep him away from toxic sludge and/or pizza.
>> Anonymous
Those get big. Real big. If you really seriously want to care for that thing, get a large snow shovel, a huge ass tank, and lots of gauze.
>> Anonymous
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Many thanks to all the kind anons who helped me out. After a bit of consideration, I've decided that I (nor anybody I know) has the funding or the willingness to take care of this sucker as he grows, so rather than keeping him and letting him get way to big for the tank I have for him, I'll look into getting him properly released. Thanks again for all your help, /an/, and happy trails.
>> BitterAnon !!WJLRQ1cwCyZ
>>248440
Anon finds an animal, is told what it is, and does the responsible thing and lets it go?

Thats fucked up. I demand you flip off a baby or say you sat on it or something.

(Seriously, good work anon. Call your local animal shelter or a rescue and see if they can point you to somewhere to release him. Not just any old pond or stream will do.)
>> Anonymous
>>248454
I recommend neighbor's pool.
>> Anonymous
Yeah, that little fuckcer gets as big as a car and eats deer as it gets older. BEtter let it go before it gets that big.
>> Anonymous
You guys do realize these turtles live over a hundred years and take a while to get that big, right?
>> Anonymous
>>248414
I didn't think alligator snappers lived that far north.
>> Anonymous
>>248399very mellow

Well, he's tiny. He can't see other things as food yet, because everything still sees him as food.

I had a snapping turtle, also found on the side of the road, that I raised by feeding it guppies and dry turtle food until it was about three, four inches long, and by then it had started to get really pissy. I gave it to a relative who lives in Bethesda, where there are lots of snappers, and she released it.
>> Anonymous
>>248655
I would do the same, keep it until it is big enought (most of the wild animals die early in nature) and them release it when the awwww became ouch!
>> Anonymous
This thread is a warm and happy thread.
>> Anonymous
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I dont know how many of you live around the pacific northwest, but back when i was in gradeschool we had this guy named Scott something or other who was dubbed the "Reptile Man," and had a fullgrown snapper. Thing was enormous, had to keep it in a swimming pool. Did some demonstrations of how fast they can bite, theyre just a hazard to anyone around them.

Normally i'd be all for keeping awesome stuff but w/how big they get and their ridiculous maintenance, releasing is definately the best idea.