Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, a week ago, my wife found a dead hatchling snapper on our college campus, but it was nowhere near water. So after school we went to the nearest lake and walked around looking for more. Then I dropped her off at work and drove home, passing a spot where my friend catches critters all the time.
So I stopped off at the spot, walked to the canal bank and watched some watersnakes, iguanas and sliders haul butt away from me..
Then I looked into the weeds right next to my feet and lo and behold there was a small snapper stuck in the mud... Not hiding now, but stuck...the mud was really thick and he barely had his nose out of the water.
So I pulled it out and took a good look, and he had nailpolish on his shell.
Anyone ever seen this before? I know a few people who mark their turtles like that, so I think he might be an escapee from a pet owner, or abandoned. He's very tame, hasn't snapped at me yet, had a nice full meal last nite, and has a new clean home in the tub next to my other snapper... I'll submit some pics later of both to see if ya think its a florida or a common...

Oh, he/she is about 4 inches and kind of skinny for a snapper...named it Tiger to keep in the tradition of names for my snappers... Sherman, Abrams, and now Tiger...and when I buy my home and get my big pond...Panzer (for an ally snapper)... All named after military tanks..
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Coastal Carpet Python 0.1 (Lillith)
Albino Burm 0.1 (Kimba)
Columbian RedTail 0.1 (Squishy)
Kenyan Sand Boa 1.0 (Shai'hulud)
Common Snapping Turtle 0.1 (Sherman) (RIP Abrahms)
RES 1.0 (speedy)

It's a good thing you found him/her when you did! By it being marked, it's probably an ex-pet some kid got bored with and the parents didn't want to be burdoned with so they dumped it (happens way too often!) It's possible that the little guy is an escapee, but most likely a "disposible pet"! Best of luck with him/her! Christy

Another thing that strikes me as odd with this one... She only eats when shes alone, or when the food is in my hand... I've never seen a snapper that gently takes food from someones hand. My other snapper tries to take your hand...
If I can ever find my dig cam, I'll take some pics of the two, and see which one you guys think is a Florida and which is a common..
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Coastal Carpet Python 0.1 (Lillith)
Albino Burm 0.1 (Kimba)
Columbian RedTail 0.1 (Squishy)
Kenyan Sand Boa 1.0 (Shai'hulud)
Common Snapping Turtle 0.1 (Sherman) (RIP Abrahms)
RES 1.0 (speedy)

My snapper very carefully takes food from my hand.
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 teddybear hamster
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children
1.0.0 husband