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Alligator Snapping Turtles

BaseballBeardies

BaseballBeardies

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These turtles have really strong bites and i dont want to get bit. If you were holding them by the shell can theyre necks reach around. Is there a way I can do it with out getting bit. Can i have some pics of someone holding theyres? thanks
 
I always thought the safest way to hold a snapper was by the carapace, right behind the head and tail end, two hands.

That said, I found one on my front lawn a few years back. It was a common snapper and not terribly large - maybe 15+ lbs. - and I kept it for a couple days to use as a educational tool for some neighbor kids. I took it out of the tub I set up and was telling them about it, holding it how I thought I should and before I knew it, that head shot around so far & so fast I couldn't believe it -that snapper grabbed my arm near my elbow before I knew it.
He (she?) was released the next day back to the lake near my house and I still have the scars on my arm :)

Hope somebody else has photos to teach me as well!
 
I will post pictures of me holding my 20lber. He's not a giant yet but he's getting there. For alligator snapping turtles there are 2 ways of handling them.

1. The easiest way to handle a larger AST is simply from the side a little futher from the midpoint of the turtle. This is the easiest and least dangerous way to hold them. They do have very long necks but they're bite radius is much less than that of a common snapping turtle.

2. The way people most commonly hold larger AST's is exactly how Laura described. AST's cannot get there head up and over like Common Snappers can and it is completely safe to grip them that way. One hand behind head, the other hand at the end of the shell (Tail side). IMO the second way poses more of a threat of getting tagged. will edit this post with pics
 
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