I need a snapping turtle expert?

I caught a Fl common snapper on accident (Chelydra s. osceola ). Its a very large one for this variety does anyone know the world record size for this subspecies of snapping turtle?

here are some pics of the turtle

http://i27.tinypic.com/tat3r4.jpg

http://i31.tinypic.com/2s7738x.jpg

2008-05-10T10:59:02Z

Thanks Derail , I have caught some common snappers in NC that were bigger I was just wondering about this particular subspecies here is a site that shows the different common snappers http://www.chelydra.org/snapping_turtle_identification.html about 1/2 way down the page is a good comparison of the FL and common varieties

2008-05-10T10:59:31Z

Thanks Derail , I have caught some common snappers in NC that were bigger I was just wondering about this particular subspecies here is a site that shows the different common snappers http://www.chelydra.org/snapping_turtle_identification.html about 1/2 way down the page is a good comparison of the FL and common varieties

gimmenamenow2008-05-11T08:00:02Z

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Yes, it's a Florida snapper, one of the subspecies of common snapper for the person who wants to know if you're sure... here's comparison again against a gator snapper:
Alligator snapper: http://www.astfoundation.org/images/snapper3.jpg
Again: http://campussqueeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/alligator-snapping-turtle.jpg

Florida snapper: http://i27.tinypic.com/tat3r4.jpg
Again: http://www4.pantown.com/data/2888/board5/209-20070701223439.jpg

Notice the smoother shell on the Florida snapper, and the more... dangerous looking beak on the gator snapper (longer tail on the gator snapper as well, but hard to tell in these pics.

Also, considering I know where the asker lives, I also know that true alligator snapping turtles don't range into that area. Here's the thing, I'm finding records for common snappers, but nothing for the Florida subspecies, I'm sure there's records somewhere, but I think all I've found references saying that they are common to twenty-someodd inches carapace length

I've got some people I can ask, though, so hopefully I'll be able to update for you.

And for stop_makin_cents, no, that one's not from one of those chemical baths... we would have liked to add him to my father's collection, but he swallowed a hook that wasn't meant for him and it did him no good (didn't take as long as it could have.) and we think we ~might~ have something here that's a little more... interesting than tasty dinner, got him in the deep freeze till we can figure out this record size issue, and I'm not sure how good the meat will be with him being frozen beforehand. We're definitely keeping the skull and shell though, and if there were any DECENT turtle taxidermiests (is that a word?) around here, we'd do that, but no one seems to know what they're doing with a turtle...

Anonymous2008-05-11T08:17:17Z

According to Conant and Collins, the record Fla. snapper is only 47 1/2 pounds.

Derail2008-05-10T10:51:55Z

Wow. Can you believe the claws on that dude? I live in Minnesota, and a state print-out claimed the largest snapper here was 68 pounds and a shell length of 28 inches.

Swamp Zombie2008-05-11T04:24:58Z

Brother I wish I knew!

Thats a tasty critter though. I reckon you'll be keeping some "backstrap"?

Your fix'in to have another "mouth in the house"!

Freeze some steaks off that guy!

(Or was he caught in a "chemical bath" like some of those Gators Gimme was talkin' bout?)

Anywho- Nice Kooter!

Anonymous2008-05-10T18:07:50Z

wait?!?!?r u sure that is a common snapper?????that looks just like a alligator snapping turtle.when u feed it does it wiggle its tong like a worm to attract prey???if it does then its an alligator snapping turtle.that doesnt look anything lik the common snappers i catch here in oklahoma.

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