Snapping turtles have an image of being aggressive fighters. The force of their bite is stronger than that of a lion or a wild dog and about on par with that of a hyena. Only a crocodile bites harder. There are however hardcore reptile enthusiasts who keep them as pets.In the wild, they are opportunistic hunters, most often lying in the mud waiting for their prey to stray close enough. They eat both animal and plant matter, but aquatic flora forms over 60 percent of their diet. They catch slow moving fish and frogs, but also eat carrion, waterfowl and small mammals on occasion. The diet usually changes seasonally. In the summer, a large proportion of it is made up of plants, but in spring, when those resources are very scarce, they consume more meat. When they do catch their meals, the hooks on their jaws serve very well in holding the prey still.
In captivity, they can be fed feeder fish, shrimp, which is a good source of calcium, crayfish, vegetable such as cabbage or spinach and even beef. Cut the food into small portions, leave out sharp pieces and supervise the feeding as snapping turtles have been known to choke on their food.
Snapping turtles hibernate in shallow water during the winter, usually partially submerged in mud. The process leaves them vulnerable in a number of ways. Their temperature drops to just above freezing, in other words 34 Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) and do not breathe, sometimes for a period of up to six months. They can take a small portion of oxygen through extra pulmonary respiration, but if they cannot get enough, the body switches to anaerobic metabolism, which causes an acidic build-up.
As the water warms, they wake again. By the time the temperature reaches 60 Fahrenheit (or 16 degrees Celsius) they would be ready to feed again. New power struggles begin amongst the males and the mating season is on. Dominant males are often fierce defenders of a certain territory they claim as their own. A larger male will control a larger area. Females migrate across a wider expanse and males often move into a spot where they are better able to intercept them in their passage.
After mating, females will choose a nesting site near a small body of water. They often use dams, gravel pits or abandoned beaver lodges. Up to 62 eggs are laid in one session before the nests are buried. Of those, 9 out of 10 are most likely to be destroyed by predators.
The best way to handle snapping turtles is to hold them by the edge of the carapace, one hand at the front and one at the back. Although their powerful jaws are always ready, the neck is too short to reach if you do it the right way.
Perhaps it is best to remember that snapping turtles are in reality shy and only attack out of self-defence.