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#491611 06/11/18 07:17 AM
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tim k Offline OP
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I have a few turtles in my acre and a half pond. No problem with them.
However yesterday I saw a huge snapping turtle in it - any issues with one of these being in my pond?

tim k #491614 06/11/18 08:40 AM
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They will eat the dead fish in your pond. I wouldn't worry about it.

tim k #491624 06/11/18 11:48 AM
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I would not want a snapping turtle in my pond but remember they are protected in Texas.


1.8 acre pond with CNBG, RES, HSB, and LMB
Trophy Hunter feeder.
tim k #491640 06/11/18 02:11 PM
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I used to be under the impression that snappers could be detrimental to a pond - based on reading and talking with several on this forum I've changed my tune there.

Unless you're talking about a small koi style pond with no room for the fish to avoid him, I'm of the opinion that a snapper is just another cleaning service for the ecosystem....dead and/or dying fish along with whatever else he can catch.

He's welcome to hang out at my place. Just something else to look at.


Dale

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"When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water." - anonymous
tim k #491644 06/11/18 03:20 PM
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I'm with you Dale for the time being, but if I start seeing more than a few common snappers at fish feeding time in my small pond we'll be having some turtle soup. This would merely be to manage the population in a 1/4 acre hole and put some unique food on the table, not necessarily to eradicate them.

The only real trouble I have heard of is snappers getting ahold of ducklings. I've never seen it with my own eyes, but can imagine it happening pretty easily.

Alligator snapping turtles are a different concern. They can actually lure fish in with their worm-like tongue and then snap up their prey. And these guys are protected in a lot of states.


Fish on!,
Noel
Quarter Acre #491655 06/11/18 07:19 PM
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thanks guys - I enjoy looking at the turtles in my pond - just wanted to make sure the snappers were not preying heavily on my bait fish

tim k #491663 06/11/18 11:17 PM
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent
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I remove them from my grow out or forage cells, but leave them alone in the main pond...Lusk says any fish taken by a snapper was asking for it [dying, diseased, aged, etc.]


Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

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tim k #491669 06/12/18 07:14 AM
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I don’t mind them. I think they’re actually pretty cool to look at, but we swim in our pond a lot. My wife will not swim with snapping turtles or snakes. She’s fine with frogs, fish, and painted turtles. So, all we have is frogs, fish, and painted turtles.. wink


9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep.
RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these.
I think that's about all I should put in my little pond.
Otter attack in 2023
tim k #491688 06/12/18 10:54 AM
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I saw a common snapper at the pond yesterday that was doing something that I have never seen. It was at the surface near the center of the pond not far from the dock, but it was not level to the surface with it's head sticking up just enough to breath like they always do...it was sideways with it's right feet somewhat paddling in the air with it's left feet well below the surface...no sign of it's head and turning circles somewhat. I watched it for maybe a minute doing this then it just leveled out and slowly disappeared. It was about as big around as a basket ball and alone as far as I could tell.

Reminded me of synchronized swimming. Daffy turtle!


Fish on!,
Noel
tim k #491694 06/12/18 11:59 AM
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Sounds like it might have been feeding on something just under the surface you couldn't see. Just a thought. I have seen similar to that in large lakes I used to fish. Trolled over to look and then able to see the dead fish they were feeding on.


Dear Alcohol, We had a deal where you would make me funnier, smarter, and a better dancer... I saw the video... We need to talk.
tim k #491717 06/12/18 05:05 PM
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Question: I bought one of those expensive, to me, anyway, ($250) floating turtle traps to try and thin out my red ear/painted turtle population. However, it's been 3 days and I haven't seen one even look at it. How long does it usually take before they start crawling up and falling in?
Thx

Last edited by JKS3613; 06/12/18 05:54 PM.
tim k #491730 06/12/18 10:00 PM
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Several times I have seen snappers mating in the pond. Initially when I saw them they were toward the center of the pond and I could not figure out what they were until I got the binoculars on them. They would slowly roll around, first with a foot or two sticking up and then a tail or or head and then maybe their backs. The wind slowly blew them toward the edge. The only problem I have with them is when they come up to the edge of the pond when the kids have their stringers in the pond. That's always good for a shriek or two, but otherwise, I think they're pretty cool to watch.

tim k #491753 06/13/18 07:19 AM
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RE: Snappers
DrWizz, I ordinarily wouldn't have a problem with them either, but after watching one pull down and kill a full grown duck that I had raised on the pond, I decided they have to go. Only problem is, I can't catch one because the red eared sliders are so plentiful that they eat any bait long before a snapper will get it. Hence, my question above about the trap. Hopefully, the surface turtles will soon discover their new sunning platform!

DrWizz #491758 06/13/18 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted By: DrWizz
Several times I have seen snappers mating in the pond.


I know there is more than one in the pond, but I did not see two. The water clarity has diminished some lately, maybe it was turtle love! That would make more sense than turtle synchronized swimming or intoxication, although that's what it looked like.


Fish on!,
Noel
DrWizz #491763 06/13/18 09:21 AM
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tim k Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: DrWizz
Several times I have seen snappers mating in the pond. Initially when I saw them they were toward the center of the pond and I could not figure out what they were until I got the binoculars on them. They would slowly roll around, first with a foot or two sticking up and then a tail or or head and then maybe their backs. The wind slowly blew them toward the edge. The only problem I have with them is when they come up to the edge of the pond when the kids have their stringers in the pond. That's always good for a shriek or two, but otherwise, I think they're pretty cool to watch.


Did they fire up a cigarette afterwards??? Lol

tim k #491775 06/13/18 11:06 AM
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I have a small 1/20 acre pond that I took a hard stance on removing turtles due to a heavy stocking of bluegill fry that I didnt want eaten. I killed two varieties of snapping turtle and in both I found only tadpoles and crawfish stomach contents. I guess they go for the easiest target.


-Jason

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