I thought I would throw my experience in here. I raised a female common snapping turtle from hatchling to a healthy 10 year old with an 11.5 inch carapace.(1995-2005) Her feeding schedule was a little less than i've seen members on this forum utilize, and also less than other snapper owners I have known.
She lived with me for 10 years and she was attuned to the natural temperature fluctuations here in Connecticut (where her parents are from). She did "estivate" in hot weather. She was a free range turtle, living in my home and she came and went at will from her enclosure. During winter, she was hibernated with no ill effects for nearly 10 years. She slowed activity in late October, and resumed feeding and activity in mid to late April, correlating with the wild snappers in my area. She was active on particularly warm winter days in feb. and march. Also correlating to wild CT snappers.
I tried to duplicate a wild snappers diet as closely as I could. I did, however, supplement her with zoomeds aqautic turtle pellets. Her favorite foods were fresh smelts, catfish, earthworms, and, as a hatchling and juvenile, insects. Insects were not readily accepted as an adult. She did accept squash, grapes, and apple slices as well as duckweed.
My husbandry techniques may not have been the norm. You won't find them on many caresheets, but she never, ever, had a health issue in 10 years. Because of her large size, I was forced to adopt her out this summer and she will spend the rest of her days as a display turtle for a nature center.
I believe that duplicating a natural diet and allowing the turtle to dictate its behaviour and respond to temperature in a somewhat natural has many benefits.
I miss her.
