Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My husband found this "snapping turtle" and wanted to keep it as a pet.

I took a look at him and his shell isn't right and he's rather docile. After searching on the internet, I would guess that he's a mud turtle, but I can't say with any certainty which species he is.

I live in East Texas. This turtle's shell is approximately 2.5-3 inches in length.

If this turtle is a mud turtle or some other semi-aquatic turtle, would it be possible to determine his age from his size? Also, can these turtles be successfully kept in captivity? My husband would really like to keep him.

It looks like a yellow bellied slider?

I don't know.

You should return it to the wild, though. If you don't know how to take care of it properly it will die in captivity. And older wild turtles don't do so well when captured from the wild.

That is a mud turtle, not sure what sub species but it is for sure a mud turtle.

You have a Mississippi mud turtle, Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis.
They adapt pretty well to captivity. He's almost adult size so hard to tell age, but probably 5 to 7 years old.

Dan

Very common, not endangered and lots of people have these Muds.
they like live food, worms and such.
IMO the best enclosure for him/her would be a small waterland tub. Live food. Live plants.
If it's a male, see if you guys can find him a few ladies and if they lay eggs, you can incubate them and release their kids where they came from.
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Buslady of SoCal
Breeder of Ornate Wood Turtles
Rhinoclemmys Pulcherrima Manni
Mom: Jessie; Dad: Donatello
Kids: Steve,Leo,Bender and Dax.
(sorry, my kids ain't fer sale)