Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey I was just wondering about everyones favorite way of catching snappers? And if anyone had any unusual ways of doing it?

my favorit way is snorkeling for them. i swim on the surface of the water and when i see one i dive down and grab him. the biggest ones seem to spend there time in deep holes or under fallen trees.

CrazyCody

Depends where I am. In rivers I wade through and look for muddy pools bordering the river banks. Snappers will usually choose these spots to bask at the surface during the day, and you can just walk right in and grab'em. If I see a turlte at the surface and it goes under, most likely it will start digging into the substrate if it's mud or leaves. I'll wade to the area, and start feeling with my bare feet for a shell. Once contact is made, I raise my foot and place it directly on the carapace and the turtle will usually raise its hind end up in typical snapping turtle fashion. Now I know which end to grab, and I do so by hooking under the carapace right under the back legs and lifting the turtle to the surface.

Of course, the turtle will fight you the entire way and you have to position the turtle away from your exposed upper body. Most likely you will be urinated on. Now rush to shore! I usually have someone waiting to help me. A turtle spotted on land will rush towards water, unless it's a real huge specimen, which will normally just sit there. If you can get in front of the turtle you will confuse it, and be able to grab its shell in the way I described. For hatchlings, I move my hands through the muck and leaves at the edges of ponds and can usually come up with baby snappers and other turtles.