I have some questions regarding the release of four baby snapping
turtles. Last fall I witnessed a snapping turtle lay eggs in a dirt
mound being moved for the construction of our house. I collected the
eggs before they were destroyed and incubated them. Seven baby
snapping turtles then hatched in late fall. We already had some frost
on the ground and I was too worried to release them, fearing they had
not chance to survive. I built an ellaborate tank and fed them red
worms. They are all healthy and thriving. It was never my intention to
keep them long term, only long enough to help their chances of
survival. I live on a farm in Wisconsin with 1 large pond, 1 small
pond and a decent size stream that runs through the property. My
question is, how should I go about releasing them to help their
chances of survival. I have thought about building an enclosing at the
corner of one of the ponds to keep preadtors away, yet allow them to
become aclimated to finding food on their own. I am open to any ideas.
If anyone has any experience with this, please contact me. I was hoping
to release them soon. I can be reached at 608-516-0764. Thank you very much!

Nature is a dangerous place. You can just release them near your ponds. If you want to build an enclosure to keep them in for a few months, that would give them time to put on weight/size and get used to eating a variety of natural foods. To prepare them for release, get their water as close to the temperature outside. Feed a variety of live foods that they might find at your ponds. Don't share your plans with others as having them is probably illegal there as is releasing them after more than a month or so in captivity. I'm glad you like the snappers in your pond instead of want to kill them like many people!