Description
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Florida Snapping Turtles for Sale – The Ultimate American Snapper
If you’re after a turtle that embodies raw prehistoric power and resilience, the Florida Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina osceola) delivers the full package. Native to the warm swamps, rivers, and wetlands of the Sunshine State, this subspecies of the common snapping turtle is bolder, bulkier, and just downright more exciting than your average aquatic turtle.
Here at Kingsman Exotic Reptiles, our Florida Snapping Turtles for sale are 100% captive bred, strong, and already adapted to captive life. These turtles make fantastic long-term display animals and are an epic conversation starter for any reptile room or outdoor enclosure.
🌴 What is a Florida Snapping Turtle?
The Florida Snapping Turtle is a large, freshwater turtle known for its powerful jaws, rugged, spiky carapace, and tail that looks straight out of Jurassic Park. It’s a regional subspecies of the common snapper, found in Florida and parts of southern Georgia.
Compared to northern counterparts, Florida snappers tend to be more bold, stockier, and slightly darker in coloration — often with a smoother carapace as they age.
🐢 Signature Traits:
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Heavy-set body with dinosaur-like build
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Long, spiked tail and hooked beak
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Rough carapace with ridges in juveniles
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Excellent swimmers and bottom walkers
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Not aggressive unless provoked — but always respected
📊 Quick Species Breakdown
Feature Description Scientific Name Chelydra serpentina osceola Common Name Florida Snapping Turtle Adult Size 15–18 inches (some males reach 20+) Lifespan 30–50+ years Temperament Bold, defensive if threatened Diet Carnivore/omnivore Care Level Intermediate to advanced due to size & strength
🐣 Sizes Available
We currently have Florida Snapping Turtles for sale in the following options:
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Hatchlings (2–3 inches): Great for experienced keepers wanting to raise them from young
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Juveniles (4–6 inches): Easier to manage and already established
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Sub-Adults: Occasionally available for display setups
All of our Florida snappers are captive bred — no wild caughts here. That means less stress, better temperament, and healthier genetics.
🍽️ What Do Florida Snapping Turtles Eat?
These guys are opportunistic carnivores, and they’re not picky. In the wild, they eat everything from fish and frogs to birds and small mammals. In captivity, they thrive on a consistent, protein-heavy diet with occasional veggies for balance.
Go-To Diet:
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Mazuri Aquatic Turtle Diet (a must)
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Raw tilapia or salmon (no seasoning)
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Chicken hearts, turkey necks, rodents (occasionally)
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Dubia roaches, crickets, earthworms
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Leafy greens (collards, duckweed) as supplements
💡 Feeding Note: They’re messy eaters. Either feed in a separate tub or increase filtration to keep water quality in check.
🏡 Habitat & Setup Guide
Despite their size, Florida Snapping Turtles don’t need a flashy enclosure — just deep, clean water and room to move.
🐢 Enclosure Essentials:
Setup Element Details Tank Size Hatchlings: 40 gal minimum. Adults: 120+ gallons or outdoor ponds Water Depth Deeper is better — they’re strong swimmers Basking Spot Optional but encouraged with UVB & heat lamp Filtration High-power canister or sump system Water Temp 75–80°F Basking Temp 90–95°F Substrate Bare bottom or river rock — they like to dig Add driftwood and underwater platforms for resting. These turtles are ambush predators, so they love cover.
💡 Pro Tip: Florida snappers often prefer minimal lighting and cover — makes them feel secure and reduces stress.
⚠️ Handling and Temperament
Listen — Florida snappers aren’t your cuddly red-eared sliders. They’re not for handling, and they don’t forget when they feel threatened. That being said, they’re not aggressive without reason. Most issues come from people not respecting their space.
If you’re a keeper who enjoys observing a powerful, confident animal doing its thing, you’ll love watching a snapper in action. They’re smart, alert, and highly food-motivated.
🚚 Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
Every Florida Snapping Turtle for sale from Kingsman Exotic Reptiles includes:
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✅ Live Arrival Guarantee
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✅ Overnight FedEx Priority Shipping
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✅ Health Guarantee (7 Days)
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✅ Safe & Insulated Packaging
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📞 Real reptile experts ready to help you after delivery
We take shipping seriously. Your turtle will arrive safe, warm (or cool), and stress-free.
🥇 Why Kingsman Exotic Reptiles?
You’ve got options online — but nobody brings the heat like we do.
We’re not just another seller with a heat lamp and a cardboard box. We’re full-time keepers and breeders, and our mission is to elevate how people buy and care for reptiles.
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Captive-bred stock ONLY
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Fast, safe, professional shipping
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Reptile lovers helping reptile lovers
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24/7 post-purchase care support
🛒 Ready to Add a Living Dinosaur to Your Collection?
If you want a turtle that commands respect, grows into an impressive display animal, and will be with you for decades, the Florida Snapping Turtle is the real deal. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s one of the most rewarding species to keep.
👉 Click “Add to Cart” now to order your Florida Snapping Turtle for sale – limited availability due to breeding cycles and seasonal demand.
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