Tony,
There have been many discussions on turtles in Questions and Observations .
It depends on the individual pond and pond owners goals.
Cons: He will eat fish off a stringer. Goslings, ducklings and plants are also on his diet. If it is an alligator snapper then he will also eat your fish. I've read of one instance of biteing someone floating on a raft.
Pros: They are cool and ancient creatures that can live to be 100 yrs old. They will keep your pond free of carion, dead fish ect. They eat goslings & ducklings. ;\) They are really good in soup or fried!! \:D
I personally wouldn't mind ONE snapper in my pond provided it wasn't an alligator snapper but I won't tolerate any of the smaller painted turtles ... they eat too much forage that I want to go to my fish.
Look here to see the difference between common & alligator snappers:
http://www.chelydra.org/common_alligator.html

Pond Boss Subscriber & Books Owner


If you can read this ... thank a teacher. Since it's in english ... thank our military!
Ric