Why do my Snapping Turtle smell like doodoo?

[Penn]

He's still small, maybe a size of a tangerine but he smells like rotting fish His tank is clean. I have a good size filter in there. I feed him repto pellets and bloodworms. He's a tame active turtle and the only problem I have with him is that he stinks. Is that normal?

 

[Anthony P]

If you don't want a turtle to stink up your house, a Common Snapping Turtle is probably the single worst North American chelonian you could have chosen. Wat until that turtle is 50 pounds.

Try to remove any uneaten food. You can also feed him in a separate container, and when back in his enclosure, you can try to scoop out his poop before it breaks apart in the water.

 

[Penn]

The tank doesn't smell, the turtle does could it be his shedding skin is causing the smell?

 

[Anthony P]

How large is it and where did you get the turtle?

Snapping Turtles produce a pretty foul musk, just like Musk Turtles. As they get larger, they smell worse. They can release a musk when handled, as well. Captive hatched specimens of both Genera are less likely to do this, in my experience.