For reptile enthusiasts captivated by their prehistoric appearances, owning an exotic pet snapping turtle seems tempting.
But the reality is properly housing and feeding these immense armored beasts through a potential 30+ year lifespan requires serious commitments of space and money from caretakers.
So, what is the actual cost of a snapping turtle? The initial purchase price of a baby snapping turtle can range from $20-100. However, the actual expense is building enclosures and sustaining care for their rapid growth to adult sizes of over 15-175+ pounds long-term, making their overall lifetime costs substantial.
Read on to better understand the considerations of ensuring animal welfare in pet snapping turtle ownership.
How Much Does A Snapping Turtle Cost?
The upfront cost to purchase a baby or juvenile snapping turtle ranges from $50-200. However, properly housing and caring for an adult snapping turtle over its 30+ year lifespan costs thousands of dollars.
The main expenses are larger enclosures (a 100+ gallon tank minimum for adults), robust filtration systems, high-capacity heaters and lights, and weekly food costs.
While baby snapping turtles are inexpensive, meeting the needs of their rapid growth to immense sizes makes them a major commitment in time, space, and money compared to other pets.
Initial Costs
The initial costs to purchase and set up housing for a baby or juvenile snapping turtle can range from $100 to over $800, depending on species, size, tank size, and other factors. Some average costs are:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Baby Snapping Turtle | $20-$200 |
| 40 gallon tank | $50-$125 |
| Filters | $50+ |
| Basking area | $30+ |
| Substrate | $20+ |
| Lighting system | $30-$100+ |
| Decor/hiding spots | $20+ |
| Water heater | $15-$60 |
These are just bare essentials. Initial costs can be higher if purchasing premium products, larger enclosures, multiple filtration systems, etc. Adult snapping turtles require at least 100+ gallon enclosures, dramatically increasing housing expenses.
Factors Affecting The Cost
Prices for snapping turtles vary greatly depending on:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Species | There are three main species. Common snappers are the cheapest, and alligator and larger turtle species most expensive. |
| Size | Babies cost less than juveniles/subadults or adults. Adults require larger tanks and supplies, increasing expenses. |
| Health | Sick/injured turtles require veterinary care, increasing costs significantly. Only purchase active, alert turtles from reputable sources. |
| Location | Captive-bred turtles are less stressed by captivity and typically healthier than wild-caught. They are also more expensive. |
| Origin | Prices range depending on geographic location and availability. Costs may be higher if sourced from specialty breeders. |
| Status | Captive-bred turtles are less stressed by captivity and typically healthier than wild caught. They are also more expensive. |
Reputable breeders may charge more but provide health guarantees. Choose species wisely, as large turtle species like alligator snappers require very sizable habitats.
Where To Buy A Snapping Turtle?
There are a few options for obtaining pet snapping turtles:
- Online reptile websites: Offer convenient home delivery but may have limited health guarantees. Read reviews and check reputation carefully before purchasing animals sight unseen.
- Reptile expos/shows: Allow in-person turtle inspection, but entry fees and shipping costs apply. Ensure vendors offer health guarantees.
- Private breeders: Can provide extensive info on lineage and hatchling care history but fewer health protections than stores. Perform due diligence on breeding operation first.
- Rescues: Offer rescued adult snapping turtles but may lack history on origin or health issues. Be prepared to rehabilitate medical or behavioral problems.
No matter where acquired, a reputable seller will stand behind the health of their animals, answer questions on proper care, provide detailed husbandry info, and be concerned with animal welfare over profits.
Avoid buying from unrated online listings or flea markets selling undersized, lethargic or visibly unhealthy turtles. Paying low initial fees won’t save money in the long term if the animal requires intensive veterinary care or dies prematurely due to poor husbandry.
Things To Know Before You Buy A Snapping Turtle
While tiny hatchling snapping turtles seem enticingly cute and inexpensive, their long-term care requires seriously large enclosures plus the ability to handle an aggressive adult with powerful jaws safely. Key considerations include:
Size And Weight
Snapping turtle species vary greatly, but common snappers reach 15-35 lbs on average. Alligator snappers range from 75-175 lbs with 30″+ shell lengths. Housing must accommodate their immense adult size, with tank water depth 1.5-2x the shell length.
Tank Size
Hatchlings need at least a well-filtered 40-gallon breeder tank. Yearly upgrades to larger sizes are essential as most species reach 100-800 lbs long-term!
Adult common snappers require 100-150+ gallon stock tanks with immense filters and water flow capacity. Alligator snapper adults cannot be humanely housed outside of enormous custom-built enclosures, limiting their suitability as pets.
Behavior
Snapping turtles are solitary with aggressive tendencies. Their powerful jaws can amputate fingers, so handling is not recommended. Provide remote feeding methods and barrier hands when tank cleaning.
Tankmates
Snapping turtles should house alone. Their aggression, omnivorous eating habits, and immense size make tankmates vulnerable to confrontation or even predation.
Be realistic before committing to a pet snapping turtle. While their unique appearances and personable hatchling behaviors entice impulse purchases, providing adequate for an enormous, potentially aggressive reptile is costly and requires extensive turtle-specific husbandry knowledge.
Hidden Costs
Beyond basic purchase and habitat setup expenses, pet snapping turtle ownership carries many regular hidden costs, including:
| Hidden Cost | Description |
|---|---|
| Food | Heating, lighting & filtration bump up electric bills by $30-50+ monthly. |
| Lighting replacement | UV & heat bulbs require replacement every 6-12 months at $20-60 per unit. |
| Filter media replacement | Regular age-appropriate partial water changes are essential, requiring the purchase of $30+ per month of de-chlorinator, testing kits, gravel vacuums, etc. |
| Partial water changes | For optimal water quality, filter media needs replacement $10-30 each, depending on tank & filter size. |
| Veterinary care | Checkups, medical issues & injuries require $$$ visits to exotic vets with turtle knowledge. |
| Habitat upgrades | As turtles grow exponentially in early years, frequent tank upgrades cost hundreds of dollars regularly. |
| Electricity | As turtles grow exponentially in the early years, frequent tank upgrades cost hundreds of dollars regularly. |
Realistically project and budget for the inevitable ongoing costs of properly caring for a healthy snapping turtle past the cute hatchling stage. The long-term commitment should not be underestimated!
Tips To Save Money
While properly housing even a common snapping turtle is a considerable investment, the following tips can help reduce overall costs without compromising animal welfare:
- Research adult sizes and select smaller, slower-growing species if space is limited
- Start with the largest affordable habitat possible to delay upgrades
- Build custom above-tank basking areas instead of buying commercial docks
- Use energy-efficient LED lighting and timers
- Invest in high-quality filters needing less frequent media replacement
- Purchase supplies in bulk online instead of individually at pet stores
- Grow produce like duckweed to supplement store-bought foods
- Partner with other turtle enthusiasts to buy feeders insects in bulk
- Perform routine maintenance to avoid costly medical issues
Most importantly, resist impulse purchasing and instead strategically plan housing, care costs, and longevity commitments before acquiring any snapping turtle!
Conclusion
While baby snapping turtles are relatively affordable at around $50-200, properly caring for their immense adult sizes over a potential 30+ year lifespan involves serious financial investments into ever-larger habitats, high-capacity filtration systems, tremendous food quantities, and routine healthcare.
Modest initial purchase fees pale in comparison to funding their intensive needs through decades of exponential growth.
With realistic planning, however, a healthy pet snapping turtle can make for a uniquely personable, fascinating reptile companion.
The key is preparing in advance for the substantial equipment, time, dedication, and budget their appropriate care requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost per month to care for a snapping turtle?
$80-150+ monthly for food, electricity, filter media replacements, partial water changes, and other recurring costs. More giant turtles incur expenses on the higher end.
What is the most expensive part of owning a snapping turtle?
Providing an adequately significant habitat with robust filtration as the turtle grows is typically the most significant expense. Custom building huge enclosures keep costs lower than commercial tanks.
How can I make owning a snapping turtle more affordable?
Performing routine maintenance, buying supplies in bulk online, growing produce for supplementation, and researching the maximum adult size of species before acquiring the pet can all help reduce overall snapping turtle care expenses.
Are snapping turtles expensive to feed?
Yes, an adult snapping turtle may eat $15-30+ worth of food weekly. Feeding appropriate high-protein items like fish/krill is costly but very important, making food a primary ongoing budget consideration.
