C h e l y d r a . O r g         

Snapping Turtles & Things 
Art  | Photography 
Main Page      | Help | About us | Contact 
 [ Updated ]
 
  Powered by 1&1
  Banner
 


   Main Page

  PUBLISHERS & BUYERS 
   sponsorship
   donations
   publishers
   advertisers
   webstats
   turtle store
   
   contact webmaster
   sign/view guestbook

  INTRODUCTION / HELP 
   turtle train
   walk turtle style
   help & sitemap
   snapping turtle club
   questions & answers
   question of the week
   + past entries
   ask question
   message forum
   turtle chat

  BASIC FACTS 
   what's a turtle ?
   prehistory
   basic anatomy
   + comm. snapper skull
   + allig. snapper skull
   + turtle embryo
   turtle dictionary
   classification

  COMMON 
  SNAPPING TURTLES 

   classification
   identification
   common vs. alligator
   4 subspecies
   + c.s.serpentina
   + c.s.osceola
   + c.s.rossignoni
   + c.s.acutirostris
   prehistory
   geographic range
   habitat
   behavior
   growth
   growth charts
   longevity
   feeding habits
   reproduction

  IN CAPTIVITY 
   acquiring a turtle
   handling snappers
   tank
   enclosure setup
   water
   filtration
   heater
   lighting
   basking light
   basic care
   feeding
   health checkups
   reptile vets
   incubator
   hatchlings

  ALLIGATOR SNAPPING
  TURTLES 

   classification
   identification
   common vs. alligator
   prehistory
   geographic range
   habitat
   behavior
   growth
   growth charts
   longevity
   feeding habits
   reproduction

  ALLIGATOR SNAPPERS 
  IN CAPTIVITY 

   acquiring a turtle
   handling snappers
   tank
   enclosure setup
   water
   filtration
   heater
   lighting
   basking light
   feeding

  ARTICLES 
   turtle personalities
   way of a hunter
   master strategist
   do they really bask ?
   climbing champions
   albino turtles
   trapping & relocation
   traveling with turtles
   misc

  REPTILE VETS 
   reptile vets - intro
   choosing a vet
   finding a vet
   reptile vet listings
   + vets USA
   + vets Canada
   + vets World

  BREEDERS 
  & PET SHOPS 

   pet shops vs. breeders
   pet shop listings
   breeders

  SNAPPERS & LAW 
   C.I.T.E.S.
   trade
   import & export
   laws for Canadians
   laws for USA

  PHOTO GALLERIES 
   common snappers
   alligator snappers
   photos by guests
   albino turtles
   turtles & our cultures
   reptile art
   other species photos

 DOWNLOADS 
   royalty free photos
   free puzzles

  OTHER TURTLE SPECIES 
   photos
   information

  BITS & PIECES 
   post a message
   links
   books
   credits
   copyright info
   about me
  
  Powered by 1&1
  Banner
 
  Sponsor links  
   Pure Healthy Water
 
 THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO THE SNAPPING TURTLES  
 and PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM  
   bookmark us
 

Traveling with turtles 


You can't really travel with your turtle like you would with your dog, but there are ways of safely transporting your snapper from one place to another. Taking it with you in your car is quite simple - it could be just a cardboard box for smaller turtles. For bigger I suggest something more sturdy, like a large plastic container (you would have to make air holes in it) or small animal carrier like those for cats.

The turtle should be placed in a cotton bag, like an old pillow case, and secured with rope. This will reduce the stress and prevent the turtle from trying to escape. Next step is to get ready with a number of sheets of old newspaper. Squash them into balls and tack around the turtle after its being placed in the box - this will prevent the animal from sliding and bouncing. (instead of newspaper styrofoam chips are also great for this purpose)

There should be an extra layer or two of cardboard placed on the buttom of the box - snappers are powerful and their claws might damage the base of the box easily when trying to move. The last thing is to close the lid and secure it with tape.

One word of coution - don't place a wet towel inside the box! This will just make the turtle cold and if leaked make the box weak.

For winter times or long distance transportation, like on planes, things get a little more complex. The box with the turtle should be placed in another larger box. This bigger box should be large enough that there would be few inches of space between the two - the bigger tha gap the more stable the temperature will be inside. Fill this space with newspaper balls and place a heating pad on the bottom and a couple on the sides. After placing more newspaper cover the box containing the turtle, close the box and after cutting a couple of air holes (this would be sufficient - too many holes will destabilize the temperature inside) secure it with tape.

If sending the turtle by air make sure to indicate with arrows the top and make a clearly visible note warning that the package contains live animals.

How to prepare the turtle for the trip?

The turtle should not be fed before the travel takes place. A good idea is to place it in clean, fresh and warm water to give it a chance to defecate. Before putting the turtle in the cotton bag it should be dried with towel and left outside for a short time to make sure it is not wet. Most turtles will 'pee' after being taken out of water - if that want happen you might end up with the whole set up soaked and useless, so make sure to give the animal some time to move around.

If exporting your turtle to another country, or perhabs even within the same country, a good idea is to have the turtle checked by a vet who should write a note stating that the animal is healthy and safe for the trip, and that the 24 or so hours without water will not affect its health. Some countries require such statement from a recognized animal doctor.

Before sending the turtle make arrangements with a shipping company. You can't just make it ready and take to to the post office - they will not accept it. Of course, don't take your chances trying to disguise it as regular mail - it might kill the turtle and give you lots of trouble. Double check if any importation permits are required and make sure to attach all the paperwork with the package. Also check local laws - some places ban snapping turtles all together, and if sending another species make sure it is not on the list of the endangered animals.

After the trip place the turtle in warm water - it will be a bit dehydrated and might even float for a short time, but it will get back to it's normal self in no time. Snappers, and other water turtles, spend periods of time without water when moving from one place to another or searching for a spot to lay eggs, and a day or two in a box will not harm them.

More reading & related links:
 
        Basic snapping turtle info in one file - Introduction to snapping turtles.pdf (116 Kb)  

 


          
back to top      



Google
 
Web www.chelydra.org

© 1998-2006 Stan Gielewski, All Rights Reserved.

Map IP Address
Powered byIP2Location.com