Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Recently, my dog was attacked by a large alligator snapping turtle, and I suspect that this same turtle is resposible for decimating my chicken flock which frequents the lake, to drink. Can someone help me figure out the best way to trap this turtle, so I can move it to another lake or river? It's very big, and I assume it's also very old, and I really don't want to resort to shooting it, y'know.

Thanks,
Robert

If the turtle was out of water, it was likely going to lay eggs, as this is the season for such an activity. Outside of the water is the only time a large animal has any reason to be wary of a snapper. In water they are docile and will try to get away from you or ignore you rather than bite. I've found many a snapper in the mud of ponds by locating their shell and orienting myself by feeling around and finding their head, and I've never been bitten by a snapper in water.

As far as your chickens go, large snappers will take fowl, but they eat relatively little for their impressive size and are likely not the culprit you are looking for. An adult snapper large enough to take a chicken would also be at a point in it's life where even if this was it's only food source it would take very few of them a year. Even moving this animal you will probably find that your chickens will continue to disappear. After it is moved, or before, make a careful check of your arrangements for the fowl and see that they cannot be taken by skunk, possum, fox, coyote, eagle, hawk, dog, cat, raccoon, etc.

There's a post on here about turtle traps. In your case you'll need to make a very large one to handle it, but the design should work fine if you find sturdy enough materials.

I agree with everything Nathan has said. But I wanted to add that you should check with your states wildlife department for the legality of this issue. You may need a permit to capture and move this animal, and they may be able to help you out.
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*Humans aren't the only species on earth... we just act like it.

".the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without
spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

I don't seem to remember him seeking a permit or consulting the state when he moved into my lake.

Ironically there are a number of animals that don't notice our boundaries and yet our laws force us to go to odd lengths to get legal permission to dispose of them.

"I don't seem to remember him seeking a permit or consulting the state when he moved into my lake."

I can't think of a more ignorant point of view.
-----
*Humans aren't the only species on earth... we just act like it.

".the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without
spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)