Recent Photos of Axle (Common Snapping Turtle)

[king2005]

I know they look dark, but u can still see him.. They looked bright on the digi viewer, ohwell.

Axle will be 7 this July & hes about 25 pounds. When I can afford a scale, I'll get him weighed

[Sophist]

What a cool pet! Thanks for sharing. I loooooove all herps, but snapping turtles are yet another pet that is banned in California .

Has he been with you the whole 7 years? Does he ever attempt to bite anymore?

[king2005]

What a cool pet! Thanks for sharing. I loooooove all herps, but snapping turtles are yet another pet that is banned in California .

Has he been with you the whole 7 years? Does he ever attempt to bite anymore?

I know if you get a permit you can have a snapper in CA. I inquired about it several years ago, as there was a chance I might have to move out there... I was told I shouldn't have any problems since I've had him sinch a hatchling & he was strictly a pet.

Yep, I've dad Axle pretty much from day 1. I rescued him from sure death. The poor guy couldn't swim & was heading over a waterfall. He was nearly 2 months old until he was able to even try to swim. Also the town was known to kill snappers, so if he managed to get past the 5 foot Carp & the hard sharp rocks at the bottom of the watefall, he would have been hunted anyways.

Axle is a big baby. He's harmless out of water & likes to hang out with the dog (well when I was living with dogs)... I raised him to be fearless, so I wouldn't have any snapping issues, as snappers snap in fear (just like dogs do). I can give him nose kisses, pet him, screatch his beak, top of head & chin. Hes only snapped at me once, but it wasn't fast at all. I accidently scared the hell out of him (it was 100% my fault) & he stretched his neck over his back & opened his mouth wide & then closed it, after he realized it was only me.

I've had kids pet him, but I always keep his head in my hands, just incase. Everyone LOVES his feet!! cause his claws are over 1 inch long!!

[Flatcoatluver]

He is so cute!! I love seeing your turtle, king2005

[king2005]

He is so cute!! I love seeing your turtle, king2005

Thanks

The first picture is of him fast asleep in his tote. thats how safe & relaxed he is.. Its not often a person can do daily chores/life & have a turtle fast asleep heheh

[Sophist]

I know if you get a permit you can have a snapper in CA. I inquired about it several years ago, as there was a chance I might have to move out there... I was told I shouldn't have any problems since I've had him sinch a hatchling & he was strictly a pet.

I am VERY curious to know who told you this... last time I checked they were still destroying seized snappers, or shipping them back out east b/c the non-nativce established populations are already getting out of control...

[king2005]

I am VERY curious to know who told you this... last time I checked they were still destroying seized snappers, or shipping them back out east b/c the non-nativce established populations are already getting out of control...

It was a department that handels that kind of thing.. mind you I did do this a couple years ago. But I don't see why one couldn't bring ones in as a pet. I understand destroying them in the wild, but not the ones someone has as a pet.

[Sophist]

It was a department that handels that kind of thing.. mind you I did do this a couple years ago. But I don't see why one couldn't bring ones in as a pet. I understand destroying them in the wild, but not the ones someone has as a pet.

Because that's where all the ones from the wild came from...

What do you keep Axle in?