Reptile & Amphibian Forums

does a snapper need a place to come out and dry its shell?

Common and florida snappers require a basking spot. Its probably good to have the option provided for alligator snappers as well but I've never seen one bask.

Kevin

Interesting thing the vet told me last week when my little Leucistic was sick....
One of the reasons I finally took him in , was he was out of the water 24 hours a day. None of my alligator snappers had ever done this, and this guy especially. This was a big behaviour change for him and that coupled with the non-feed-ng had me worried. This vet said when a turtle has a problem, they can sometimes instinctively try to bask to fix them selves. He said that instinct can tell them the need sun and warmth for repair. When I said he was basking even at night when the lights were off, he said that still could be his basic instinct to try to bask when not well. I thought it was pretty interesting. Now after 6 days of the injections, he's back to being in the water 100% of the time.

Alligator Snappers do Bask.... but not often.

My turtles gets how it is outside. If its sunny out, I turn the lamp on, If not then they get my room light (Sorta dark for em).