Make as little noise as possible while you approach the turtle. On land, this animal stays super alert to its surroundings. You don’t want to spook the turtle before you reach it.
When lifting, hold the turtle as low to the ground as possible. This way, you’ll limit any potential injury to the animal. Keep the turtle’s head pointed away from you at all times to avoid injury. Never grab an adult snapping turtle anywhere besides the back half of its shell. This includes the turtle’s tail!
If there’s a water source nearby, it may seem like the turtle must be headed in that direction. Don’t assume this, and don’t set the turtle in or near the water. Take it no farther than the opposite side of the road. If you’ve incorrectly identified the turtle species or the turtle has an injury you’re unaware of, putting it in water could be extremely dangerous. Once you set the adult snapping turtle down, move back quickly. The animal will likely be on the defense and ready to snap. You don’t want to be within range of that bite once you set the snapper free!
This hold should be like a pinching motion. You’ll pick up the baby in the same way you might pluck a cookie from a plate (only much more carefully, of course!).
Don’t bring the animal to a nearby water source, even if it seems like this must be where it was headed.
A baby turtle will be just a few inches long. But still, it’ll sport the same staples: long tail, dark shell, and sharp claws. An alligator snapping turtle will also have 3 ridges on its shell (called keels) and may look sort of prehistoric at first glance. Then, it’ll have a triangular jaw. Common snapping turtles, on the other hand, have a smooth shell and a softer, u-shaped jaw. Both species are large, but alligator turtles are larger. Alligator snappers range from 50–220 pounds (23–100 kg), and common snappers, 20–35 pounds (9. 1–15. 9 kg). Never attempt to lift a turtle that you’re not entirely sure you could carry safely. You’ll risk injury to yourself and the animal.
Note that a turtle’s injuries can be worse than they seem—if you’re concerned and are in a position to help safely, take the animal in to get a professional’s opinion.
While you’re traveling, avoid sounds, handling, providing first aid, or providing a heat source for the turtle. This will help keep its stress levels low. For baby snapping turtles, it’s less important to make sure your box has a tight lid. Note that a smaller container (like a shoe box) would suit as well.
