Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Snapping Turtle

Small patient alert!

This hatchling Snapping Turtle was found back in January in a homeowner’s yard cold, lethargic, and covered in mud. Concerned by this behavior and time of year, the homeowner brought them in for care.

Patient 24-16 weight on intake. @BRWC 2024

After slowly warming the turtle up and providing hydration, the patient began to perk up and move around. Staff found no injuries during exam and noted that all limbs are fully operational.

Weighing in at only 10g and having a soft plastron (bottom part of shell on the turtle’s “belly”), this patient was likely hatched this year and is still in the fragile newborn stage.

Many turtle species that hatch in late fall overwinter underground and do not emerge until spring, so we suspect that this turtle may have been accidentally dug up, or was flooded out of a nest from the recent heavy rains.

Patient 24-16 after 84 days in care. @BRWC 2024

This patient has been with us for over 80 days and he now weighs a whopping 55g!

Snapping turtles continue to grow for their entire lives, and if provided adequate resources, can reach over 40 lbs. They can also live over 40 years in the wild, so this little guy has a long life ahead of him thanks to his awesome rescuers!

We are pleasantly surprised by his voracious appetite and are looking forward to a happy release come May 1st.

But they are so scary!!!!

Adult Snapping turtle patient from 2022, being held by BRWC Hospital Director, Dr. Jen Riley. @BRWC 2022

Snapping turtles are our biggest native turtles and have a serious bite (hence the name). However, snappers play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of their ecosystems!

As predators, they help regulate populations of various species, including fish, frogs, and invertebrates – preventing overpopulation of certain species and preserving biodiversity. And their scavenging behavior cleans up aquatic habitats by consuming dead and decaying matter.

Even better, snapping turtles serve as indicators of ecosystem health; their presence often signifies the presence of healthy wetlands and water bodies. So if you see a snapper, just keep your distance and appreciate them from afar!

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