Baby Turtle Savin' is a Hobby!

TL;DR

Coyote Peterson releases two baby snapping turtles into the wild after raising them in captivity for two years.

Transcript

• You guys are used to seeing me catch enormous mud dragons, turtles that weigh between 20 and 50 pounds. Let's just take a look for a second at a baby snapping turtle. (epic music) What's going on, guys? So one question I oftentimes get is, "Does Coyote Peterson have any pets?" Earlier this year, I introduced you guys to my dog, Charlie Bear. She'... Read More

Key Insights

• 👶 Snapping turtles have distinct features, even as babies, with carapace and plastron defining their shell structure.
• 🐢 Captivity does not erase wild instincts in snapping turtles; they will still exhibit natural behaviors when given the opportunity.
• 🐥 Baby snapping turtles are small upon hatching and need to swiftly hide from predators.
• 😋 Releasing the turtles in a protected environment with plenty of cover and food sources increases their chances of survival.
• 📛 Coyote Peterson has a dog named Charlie Bear and a Sulcata tortoise named Greenbean Sherman besides the snapping turtle babies.
• 😨 The turtles, Rock and Atlas, have grown under Peterson's care and are now ready for the wild.
• 🐢 Peterson feels a mix of sadness and happiness upon releasing the turtles, viewing them as his "children" with a better chance at growing into large snapping turtles.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Coyote Peterson acquire the baby snapping turtles?

Coyote Peterson rescued the baby snapping turtles from a lagoon near a swimming pool. They had hatched in an unsuitable area and were in need of rescue.

Q: What are the names of the two turtles being released?

The two turtles being released are named Rock and Atlas.

Q: How will the turtles know how to hunt and survive in the wild?

Snapping turtles never lose their reptilian instincts. As soon as they are in their natural environment, they will immediately start hunting and thriving.

Q: What are the potential predators for baby snapping turtles of this size?

Mink, raccoons, and foxes are potential predators for turtles of this size.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Coyote Peterson raised four baby snapping turtles that he rescued from an unsuitable environment.

• Two years later, two of the turtles, named Rock and Atlas, are released into a protected wildlife sanctuary.

• Despite being raised in captivity, the turtles will instinctively know how to hunt and thrive in the wild.