Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a watergarden/koi pond, i was cleaning out the filter today and a hatchling snapper was in the leaf basket trying to hibernate. I took him out and put him back in the pond so he could dive to the bottom to hibernate in the leaves but it seems he doesnt have the energy too since the water temp has dropped over this past month. I fear he will die if i do not take him into captivity. I guess im wondering, if i take him in to my care over the winter, come next winter is that going to affect him hibernating then too? Should i give him a little help and push him down to the bottom of the pond, because he clearly does not have the energy to do so on his own. I cant take him in as a pet, so my options are to take him in for the winter, but if thats going to affect how he lives in the wild and affects him hibernating next winter i dont want to do that! or the other option is to give him a gentle guide to the bottom of the pond.

Need replies ASAP, im in MA, and its getting cold here, the temps are averaging mid 40 to high 40s and id like to have this resolved in the next couple hours before nightfall, its even colder when the sun goes down. Right now i have him in a little baracade in the shallow part of the pond so i can find him when i have an answer on what to do!

I believe snappers like to hibernate in the mud, not actually in the water. It would be best to find a wildlife rehaber and ask them what to do.

If it's legal, you can take the smapper inside and not hibernate him this winter. Then release him in the spring.

Be careful to not let him come in contact with other turtles, as you don't want him carrying any diseases back into the wild. Be sure to do your research on the care of snapping turtles.

Good luck!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
2.0.0 eastern box turtles
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.8.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch rabbit
3.2.0 adult children
1.0.0 husband
AND
0.1.0 grandbaby!!