LOVE the name Scratch!!!
Found a snapper baby in my chicken's beak
- Thread starter Careym13
- Start date
COOL!!!
How can I get Scratch to eat food that doesn't float? If it sinks, he totally ignores it...no matter what it is.
BloodbucketXXL
Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2016
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- 22
Well, for starters, what foods are you feeding that float, and what foods are you feeding that don't float?
Anyway, I wouldn't worry. Assuming you're actually feeding appropriate food, it is VERY hard to have a snapping turtle starve itself just because it's so picky that it only likes foods that float. Leave the food in there long enough, and he'll eat it.
Anyway, I wouldn't worry. Assuming you're actually feeding appropriate food, it is VERY hard to have a snapping turtle starve itself just because it's so picky that it only likes foods that float. Leave the food in there long enough, and he'll eat it.
I've offered cooked chicken and lean beef, different fruit like bananas, cranberries and grapes and these all sink. What he will eat is pellets, mealworms and dried shrimp...all of which float. I am taking out the meat after an hour or so because I'm afraid of it going bad and fouling up the water...maybe I need to leave it in for the day?
Hahaha...I'll have to try some of those things.
Up to 74 grams as of last night! So "he" has basically doubled his weight. It is amazing to watch him literally grow before my eyes as compared to tortoises which is like watching grass grow.
that's great growth over a month. how is the right leg? still limp?
It is the same. He uses his toes, but the hip area seems to be totally stuck. I am thinking about taking him to the vet now that he is stable and has gained some size.
are you considering releasing back into the wild? if it has some function in the foot then I think it has a good likelihood of survival. Are they opportunistic feeders waiting for their prey to come by? or do they need their legs to chase down food?
As far as I know it is a combination of both. He doesn't swim well at all, so unless that changes I'm going to keep him.
Oh, please do keep him!!!!!
I'm going to have to, which I'm ok with since I have grown quite fond of him. I was watching him last night and he really struggles to get around in any kind of a hurry. If the food floats past his face he is great at snatching it and eating it, but if he has to move to get it he is usually too slow.Oh, please do keep him!!!!!
Do you handle him ?
I've been taking him out to weigh him every other day and I occasionally have to help him when he gets stuck in corners and can't seem to turn around.
That's good, If you are going to keep him the more he is handled as a youngster the less aggressive he will be towards you as he grows into an adult and also less stressful on him when you take him out of the water. Common snappers are mostly docile when in water but can be really nasty when out of water. Hopefully it's a male because they don't get near the size as the females.
So do you think what I am doing is enough handling, or should I do more? He doesn't seem to mind when I pick him up, he just sits there and lets me weigh him. He is also starting to come near me when he sees me with food.
In time he will start begging for food as soon as he sees you walk into the room. At his age I don't think you can handle him to often, it may help keep him calm when you work with him in years to come, Soon you wont be able to hold him in the palm of your hand.
