The New guy

[jeff kushner]

We found this guy playing in traffic this morning on our bike ride. He was VERY dry and barely moved when i picked him up. We hooked him up with a little pond to drink and hydrate and an Inchworm and a couple small earth worms.
He's going to be just fine.

Question for you guys...Common or Alligator snapping turtle?? I can't tell for sure.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I would say Alligator, but let's wait for others. Never seen either in real life.

 

[Markw84]

Looks like common snapper baby to me. Not pronounced enough 3 keels for an alligator snapper. A picture of the head/face would better tell.

 

[TammyJ]

He's adorable .

 

[jeff kushner]

He is a eating machine!

 

[jeff kushner]

Let's see if i can take a couple of decent pics for a change.

 

[zovick]

Let's see if i can take a couple of decent pics for a change.View attachment 399841View attachment 399842

I agree with Markw84.

Looks like a Common Snapper to me. Looks exactly like the ones I used to catch when I lived in Baltimore and Anne Arundel Counties back in the 40's, 50's, and 60's. I never saw an Alligator Snapper in MD.

Furthermore, the MD Dept. of Natural Resources states that Alligator Snappers do not occur in MD:

Maryland's Turtles and Tortoises (Order Testudines)

An official website of the State of Maryland.

dnr.maryland.gov

 

[Tom]

He is a eating machine!

What are you feeding him? I love the common snappers. I have turtle envy now.

 

[jeff kushner]

He has never snapped at me or my fingers but bugs, Inchworms, earth worms or any other crawlers I find are fair game for him.

 

[TammyJ]

Ok Jeff.
Now that you've found Love what are you gonna do....with it?

 

[jeff kushner]

Excellent question given we're here on a turtle/tort forum!
He is likely going to spend a few weeks with us, maybe longer. We will see how he does. His family lives in the wild at the edge of our yard where it meets the creek so it's not many steps to release him. Im trying to get Matt's new enclosure done and of course there will be a swimming hole for him so maybe we do something there for him.
He is cool...and I have him in a clear container which sits on top of Matt's House plexiglass ceiling so Matt can watch him move around all day!

 

[TammyJ]

Please keep us updated with lots of pictures! I love these turtles. And Matt.