Musk, mud, and snapping turtles are common North American turtles and are often kept as pets.  These are also the turtles most likely to bit. But all turtles are individuals capable of different personalities. Some make good pets and others can only be kept as specimens.

Snapping turtles are in a class all their own because they are so powerful and their personalities so varied.  Some make excellent pets; some are better left alone. There are stories about our snapping turtles in the tours on the Raising Baby Turtles page. Stay tuned; more stories and pictures are coming.

Stinkpot or Common Musk Turtles Sternotherus oderatus

Quark, juvenile male  | pic 1 | pic 2 | pic 3 | pic 4 | pic 5 | pic 6 | pic 7 | pic 8 | pic 9 | pic 10 |   | pic 11 | pic 12 | pic 13 | pic 14 | pic 15 |

Wild adult male No. 1  | pic 1 | pic 2 | pic 3 | pic 4 | pic 5 | pic 6 |

Wild adult male No. 2  | pic 1 | pic 2 | pic 3 | pic 4 | pic 5 | pic 6 | pic 7 |

Wild adult female No. 1  | pic 1 | pic 2 | pic 3 | pic 4 | pic 5 |

Forida Mud Turtles Kinosternon s. steindachneri

Quasar, adult male  | pic 1 | pic 2 | pic 3 | pic 4 | pic 5 |

Common Snapping Turtles Chelydra s. serpentina

Tiny, from a baby to an adult  | pic 1 | pic 2 | pic 3 | pic 4 | pic 5 | pic 6 | pic 7 | pic 8 | pic 9 | pic 10 |  | pic 11 | pic 12 | pic 13 | pic 14 | pic 15 | pic 16 |  NEW>>> One Sunday morning I looked out and saw Tiny sitting on the wall of the pen. I always knew he could climb out. After photographing him, I spent the day making modifications to no avail. Tiny moved on. He was last seen walking back to the pond in the pen. He is a very nice turtle who never snapped at anyone and got along great with other turtles. He is missed! Maybe he will come home someday. | pic 17 | pic 18 | pic 19 | pic 20 | pic 21 | pic 22 | pic 23 | pic 24 | <<< Also see Tiny's desktop Wallpaper No. 12.

Tinytwo, from a baby to juvenile male  | pic 1 | pic 2 | pic 3 | pic 4 | pic 5 | pic 6 | pic 7 | pic 8 | pic 9 | pic 10 |  | pic 11 | pic 12 | pic 13 | pic 14 | pic 15 | pic 16 | pic 17 | pic 18 |   | pic 19 | pic 20 | pic 21 |  Also see Tiny's desktop WallpaperNo. 1.