Point of clarification: It was a snapper, not a softshell. Softshells may become mildly disgruntled. Snappers will go freaking ballistic over petty trivialities like being hooked in the mouth, hauled from the water and thrown in the bottom of a jonboat.The turtle and I had nearly succeeded in putting that unfortunate incident behind us.
Going to have to double up on the melatonin just to get some sleep and stave off the nightmares.
Gosh, I completely disremembered that event, sorry Sparkie.
I don't think I'd give the turtle any melatonin, though, it's more of a mammalian peptide and I'm not sure reptiles would respond very well. Maybe just give him a warmed up emulsion of golden shiners or tadpoles, and a good lulaby, something like "Moon River".
And just for my own edification, how can you tell when your turtle is having nightmares?
