Check out the new freshwater pond exhibit at the Cooper Environmental Center at Cattus Island County Park.
This 400 gallon exhibit is a new home to a non-releasable common snapping turtle named Jaba.
Jaba was taken from the wild as a hatchling, by someone who thought they were helping him. It’s best to keep all turtles wild and not to bring them into homes as pets.
He was raised under inadequate conditions for his first four years of life. For several years, Jaba has been an animal ambassador at the Cooper Environmental Center and required a larger enclosure. He is currently 8 years old and weighs about 9 pounds.
Common snapping turtles can be found in freshwater and brackish water streams and ponds. They prefer to live in slow moving, shallow bodies of water with muddy bottoms. They are highly aquatic turtles seldom seen basking in the sun. They are omnivorous eating plants, insects, worms, fish, and other small animals.
You can see many common snapping turtles out within Cattus Island County Park during nesting season which occurs late May through June. Female snapping turtles will travel great distances over land and roads to find the perfect nesting site.
Although common snapping turtles are docile in the water, they are quite aggressive if approached on land. While they do not have teeth, they do have strong jaws and a sharp beak. They are also extremely quick for their size. They should never be handled by their tails.
This exhibit is a work in progress, so check back for new freshwater pond creatures and display information in the future.
Original source can be found here.
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