MadSci Network: Zoology |
Josh, I'm afraid I don't have a foolproof solution for you, but here are some options: if you want to relocate the snapping turtle yourself, first rule is to be really careful. They tend to be aggressive, and you don't want to get snapped. I spoke with the Curator of Herpetology at the Toledo Zoo for pointers, and he said you have to be sure to grab the turtle by the back legs, or if it's not too big, you can grab it by the tail. Be sure to keep away from its head, since they're pretty wily and can rear back and snap. The trick is getting the turtle to where you'd rather it live. I hope you're planning to move it to another suitable spot where it won't bother your duck population. Since I've never tried to move a snapper myself, I would suggest you go with option two: call a local nature center if you have one nearby. They might be able to use the turtle in education programs, or might suggest another home for it. They might also have more experience relocating beasties, and might be able to come out to help you. You might try the Nature Conservancy or look for a wildlife refuge/state/local parks office for suggestions. The Nature Conservancy has a great web site with information on preserves across the country (http://www.tnc.org). The main thing is to make sure both you and the turtle get through this process without injury. Good luck, and be safe. Regards, Ruth
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Zoology.