Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I heard about this turtle at a meat market here in Louisiana; they were going to make soup out of it. He is a 110 pound alligator snapper with a 24 inch carapace. He was living in a tub with about two inches of water in it and he couldn't turn around. He was totally exhausted after about a week of these conditions. My friends all chipped in to buy him so that he could be released. I drove about 150 miles to get him and released him into propper habitat.

Personally, I'd like to see some changes in the laws here in Louisiana.

Zoodude

That is one awesome turtle! Its good to know someone like yourself cares enough to give back to these animals sometimes. What can be done to change the laws in Louisiana?

I agree. Good job !!!

Problem is, he's very likely to get re-caught.
Those guys use stainless steel hooks to catch catfish at night. They use giant chunks of meat.

Alligator snappers are nocturnal. Its a shame, but they go right for the hooks. Unless they change the laws, its not going to stop. Too bad.

i thought it was illegal to catch and eat alligator snappers becouse there an endangered species. i might be wrong i live in new jersey and we have a lot of tight laws here u have to fallow or your goin down.
CrazyCody

Louisiana doesn't have any special protection for alligator snappers. The research done in the '90's showed good numbers compared to other states. Currently, there is no commercial bag limit with only a 15" min. carapace length, and a recreational limit of 4 per day. All of that is hopefully about to change in the near future.

>>i thought it was illegal to catch and eat alligator snappers becouse there an endangered species. i might be wrong i live in new jersey and we have a lot of tight laws here u have to fallow or your goin down.
>>CrazyCody
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Zoodude

"Just because I'm paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't after me."

read herp law/cites forum at this site(may 7) on alligator snapper regulations in louisiana.

Its people like us here at the forums that will get laws changed for alligator snappers. We may be the most unique division of the herp keeping community. The love we have for these giant (and sometimes dangerous) turtle species is sometimes hard for even snake keepers to understand.

Much respect to you for saving that turtle. Lets all all hope it can live out its years in peace.

~Mike~

That's a great looking snapper, it's too bad that there aren't more people like you! The meat markets are horrible, it's heart breaking that these animals are treated like "items" and not the living beings that they are! It would put a spin on things if it were cats and dogs caged in inhumane conditions awaiting a barbaric end, but most people don't think anything of a reptile being kept in these conditions. I do rescues myself and know how rewarding it is to take an otherwise doomed animal and give it a second chance! Keep up the good work! Christy

Actually, you'd be surprised how much respect people have for these animals Even those that plan on making meat out of them feel regret and remorse, but they have a living to make. Everyone has to eat. I've spoken to many people that trap turtles. Many of them agree that there should be more limits. They only continue because nobody has said that they can't.
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Zoodude

"Just because I'm paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't after me."

what a gorgeous turtle
and you are correct, louisiana is the only state in the union that does not protect the alligator snapper. at the same time, northern louisiana harbors a population of gator snappers in our lakes and bayous that at least equals its population throughout the rest of its range.
there is litigation to protect the species in our beautiful state, but as he is so tasty, (yes, i'll eat 'em.)
but he is such a proud representitive of our state, like the alligator, the wild turkey, the whitetail deer, and the Louisiana black bear,
and as studies produce as many young specimens as old,
i doubt that LA will pass any litigation regarding them any time soon, as long as hunting does not threaten the population, and it thusfar has not.
but noone on either side of the fence can argue that the alligator snapper is anything less than a beautiful and honorable and important link in our environment's balance. and he should always be respected, whether you intend to eat, watch, photograph, propegate, or co-habitate with him.
much love for your gathering and releasing this turtle. good job, bro.