Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey I didn't know which forum to post it in so I thought here would be better. Should I get a northern black racer or a common snapping turtle for a pet? I want both an awful lot and it's hard to choose! lol I know the racer would be easier but my parents really need to learn about snappers. I'm stumped, please help.

If your going to get snapper then do it right, set up a 500 gallon tank with a wetdry filter and get an aligator snapper that will grow to over 500pnds, or don't bother, that's my opinion anyway. A racer will require a lot less care, and be a few thousand cheaper to set up right.

I SAID COMMON SNAPPER!!! lol Alligator snappers need not apply!

decide. Get the one you can take care of on your worst day. If you are off to camp or somewhere, which one are your parents willing to look after. Are you footing the bill or are your parents??? Get the answers to these and your other questions. Then decide. Enjoy the process. I do, and the decision will be right for you.

Mike B

lol u picked 2 good reptiles lol... a black racer is very aggressive and will barely ever calm down and will have nose rub in a couple of days, it is best to keep them in a smaller cage cause of this. but snappers a great to i would go with the snapper, and if u wanted a snake i would pick a black rat. lol.. but snapper is my choice unless it is a baby black racer then go with the black racer.

lol u picked 2 good reptiles lol... a black racer is very aggressive and will barely ever calm down and will have nose rub in a couple of days, it is best to keep them in a smaller cage cause of this. but snappers a great to i would go with the snapper, and if u wanted a snake i would pick a black rat. lol.. but snapper is my choice unless it is a baby black racer then go with the black racer.

I have researched both. I love both reptiles and am willing to take on the challenges of a snapper. However, I really think it'd be fun to research caring for a black racer since not many people keep them and breed them. On the other hand, my parents thought a six inch snapper I caught was "too dangerous" even though it's only make me bleed. They need to learn more about 'em. My dad and brother also need to end their habit of eating snapper soup....ooooo that gets me very very mad...

I agree with rick, however not even alligator snapper get 500 lbs. the record is like 319 pounds, but I would not expect a weight that much until it is passed on to your grandkids.lol. You don't really have to get a tank liek an aquarium. you can get a huge stock tank for like $150. and that woudl keep a common for quite a long time. snappers have quite an appetite. My parents were once like that, about the dangerous snappers. They are not dangerous unless you goof off with them or show off or something. if you take precautions you won't get bit. If you would happen to get bit, it is your fault and always remember that. I have had no problems with any of mine, and I have had them up to nearly 50lbs, and aggro but never even came close to getting bit. Do not pick themup by the tail, if you did not alreayd know. Just keep the water clean and at the right temps. I find snappers more interesting, but that is my opinion though. a racer would be the least expensive, but it is much betetr to give them a somewhat larger enclosure than you would a rat, as they are very active and that is mostly what causes the nose rubbing. I don't think a large w/c racer would be a good idea for a biginner, Go with a baby. Either way, if you go with snapper or racer, just know what you are doign first and keep the responsibility. you should sit down and discuss it with your parents. oh and if you pick snapper, you might even go with alliagtor snapper, as they are slower growers, but get bigger int he end. They are slower and have shorter necks that can't reach you as well as a common. Alligator snappign turtles is like on my top 3 list of favorite animals,a nd are just sooooooo interesting. I have seen you ont he snapper forum and I know you have good intentions and have done your research, btu it is your decision in the end, not ours.
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Justin

I pulled one out of the St. john river in Jacksonville FL. when I was a kid, actually it took six of us to drag it out. We attempted to weigh him with a bathroom scale, and he came in over 450, not sure of the accuracy of that one, but I am sure I have seen them over 400, 500 might be a bit of an exaggeration on my part. Still there are few animals as impressive, expecially when full grown and viewed in large tank as it uses its worm like tongue to fish.

I agree, nothing is more imppressive as a huge ally snapper using its tongue. I have never heard of one even near that big. biggets I have heard was 319lbs. it was a captive record if I am not mistaken too. the wild record is in the 200's, not sure exaclty what though. The biggest I ahve seen in person is at the memphis zoo. massive. if anyoen has seen this fellow you know what I mean. his head is bigger than mine, and the shell looked like a boat.lol. His paws (I guess that's what you call it) were bigger than my hands opened. They have always took real good care of him. but it takes years and years and years for that.lol. After 10 years of age I think in the wild they gain like an everage of 1lb a year or so, so you are looking at an animla that was here long before most of us.
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Justin

I agree with rick. Even a common snapping turtle has enormous habitat requirements. Don't do it unless you are dedicated to providing for this animal for the rest of its life. Snapping turtles are high maintenance if properly cared for. Black Racers can also be difficult to keep in captivity. They are prone to severe nose rubbing and are not always the best feeders.

Thanks for all your recommendations! I think I'll stick with the northern black racer because it's easier to keep than a snapper. I have no room for an alligator snapper so I will say it again, allies need not apply! I don't even recall ever seeing a racer in the wild or in captivity, but they strike me as interesting animals. I also hear they are pretty smart, so I'd love to look into that.