Common Snapper "Rage"

Good looking snapper, but it looks like a male to me. Do you have a closer pic of "her" tail? Looks like the vent is way past the edge of the shell.
Chris

Yeah you can not really do the "flat plastron" on most aquatics. It seems to work better on boxies and torts. I would say that I am almost sure that you have a male there. If it were a female the cloaca opening would be at the edge of the shell. "His" is WAY past it. At least you didnt name it anything femanine, otherwise you would have to change the name =)
Chris

About the recognition....A friend of mine has kept snappers for over 30 years and they recognize him they will not hiss or snap at him when he puts his hand in the water. They are very intelligent.

Yes {He} is quite intelligent. I also have a female based on Chris's method of sexing. She is a Florida Snapper. Darker overall. I will post her photo in June which will be her second year Captive Raised..Keith...

No, I said you have a male, not female. Was that just a typo?
Chris

Hey Chris... I posted (2) seperate comments, @ your {snappers tank} photo, I am asking you if a land area is required? Rage never took advantage of it in {His} early years! I let him "dry~out" by not filling his tank for a week or two @ times, post DST. The female "Serena" has not been posted yet. She is a {she} thanx to you. Her cloaca is @ or within the edge of her shell. I simply ommited the fact that she does not yet recognize me as her KEEPER..Keith...

When you say you do not fill the tank for a couple of weeks do you mean no water at all? If the turtle will not bask thats not a problem. Theres no need to force it to. Although, if you want to during the summer you can take him out and let him run around in the yard (under supervision) and let him get some sun. Maybe like twice a week or so. If you do not provide a basking area keep the water about 76-78.

Yes...no H2O or @ lowest level that syphon allows. The only downside is I or Rage actually, looses the layer of algae, that I control with timer controlled lighting. This photo was taken FEB04, THE COLOR OF THE TEXT matched his algae hue & is only visible on the rocks???..Keith...

I dont see why your so concerned about algea growth on his shell. Do not force the turtle to be out of the water for that long. Like I said, if he dosnt want to bask, not a big deal. Just take him out during the warmer months so he can get some sun outside.
Chris

wow beautiful turtle.wat u feed it?

Thankyou..."Rage" is fed Repto Min Food Sticks,Goldfish & Rats(Small) as regular items. Too Many occasional snacks/meals to post..Keith...

Hey,
I havent been on here a while. Just stopping by to say hi. Hows Rage and Serena doing? Have any recent pics of them?
Peace,
Chris

in the wild snappers only leave the water to lay eggs, and part way when they breed, just a piece of advice

Thats not true at all. Snappers bask and bask often. I see snappers basking all the time when I go down to the lakes around here. In fact, I caught one the other day basking on the bank.
Chris

Hey Chris...Rage is 100% OK. He is now 10 years old {MINIMUM}. He had his fill of BROOD X Cicadas last month!!! I will be Posting a shot of Serena & newest addition = Venus [HATCHLING] AND HOW DO I KNOW THAT!!! ??? PEACE.Keith..

How do you know what?