I'm going to have to put in my two cents...it does matter whether or not you're talking about a common or an ally snapper. It also matters if you hibernate/brumate your commons. My common snappers opted for the brumation/hibernation and since they have, they are quite smaller than many of the others on this site. They are completely healthy and have voracious appetites, eating everything from crappie minnows to "prepared meats" to pellets to greens. (Well, the sister won't eat greens, but everything else she will). I guess these turtles where born in August of 2002...about 3 years ago. I've had snappers in the past, years back, that didn't hibernate/brumate and they were 2 to 4 times the size of these that I care for now (at the same age). I think it a lot depends on the turtle, the diet, and it's environment. Anyway, I wouldn't go with the 55 gallon...you may get a little time out of it... mean, my female is still in a custom 50 breeder....and that's been 3 years, but like i said, they're down for part of every year. It'd be better to start with something bigger if you can, or at least start planning on saving/building/buying something bigger...relatively soon. Good luck whatever you choose...they're great turtles! I love em! I can't wait until I can get my ally snapper. -phew

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