The alligator snapping turtle is not from the northeast. It looks similar to the Common Snapping turtle but they are different. The alligator snapping turtle is a protected species and illegal for sale EXCEPT if you had them before the law and protection act was passed. If you had a breading pair prior to the rules and regs in captivity the baby turtles are also legal to keep as well. You better be prepared to prove their captivity lineage though. There was a big turtle farm Randleas Turtle Farm that got the smack down laid on them because they were buying wild species to mix with their captive species. I think they were completely shut down.
I do think that all turtles of a certain size are illegal to sell except for educational purposes in NY. I'm not sure if that is a federal law too.
FWIW: I had one of these tutles for about a year back in the late 80s. I purchased it from BTJ's jungle in westbury,,, (when it was a good clean store with unusual species). These turtles are aggressive with a capital A. I used to feed it anything.. Raw chicken legs, frozen mice & rats. You could feed these things dogs and they would happily eat it. They get very large. I had a friend from the south that had one as big as a manhole cover. He used to put a broom stick in front of him and it would snap it in 1/2 with 1-2 bites
A freind of mine has a huge pond in a greenhouse enclosure, he has some alligator snappers in it. He has had them for a long time and is a turtle nut. He was driving and saw someone intentionally swerve to hit a turtle in the road, he caught up with the guy and beat the crap out of him.lol
I have one as well My experience is they are pretty easy to care for. If you don't put your hand near their head you'll be fine too :splitspin: Mine is in a tank with a 5" sand bed that it hides in. The water level is only a few inches above that. It almost never comes out of the water.
It eats Reptomin, shrimp, earthworms, and mice. LOVES earthworms. That is about the only food it will actually leave the sand to catch and eat.
I've had mine several years without any issue. I love the turtle but I can honestly say I can't think of a more boring pet.
I'VE HAD THEM MY WHOLE LIFE, COMMON AND ALLIGATOR SNAPPERS. THE ONE IN MY AVATAR IS AN ALLIGATOR SNAPPER. HE HAS AN APPENDAGE ON HIS TONGUE WHICH LOOKS LIKE A WORM. THIS LURES THE PREY IN, THEN WHAM, HE SHUTS HIS MOUTH DEVOURING THE PREY. THEY ARE AGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS, BUT YOU MUST RESPECT THEM. I LIKE HIM BECAUSE HE RESEMBLES A DINOSAUR. MY GUY IS IN MY POND, BUT MY BROTHER USED TO KEEP THEM IN REGULAR TANKS. VERY INTERESTING ANIMALS, GREAT TO WATCH THEM FEED. VERY MESSY THOUGH. AND THE OBVIOUS, DON'T GET BITTEN.