Question: Do they need a basking area and a basking light ?

Answer: Most people believe that snappers don't bask. It is true with the alligator snappers - they never leave water except for females to lay eggs. Common snappers on he other hand do bask. They are more shy in comparison with the all the 'regular' baskers like red-eared sliders, but people have seen large common snapping turtles soaking up the rays on many occasions. From my observation of thier hatchlings, leaving water and spending lots of time under a basking light is one of their fvorite past times during the first year of their lives. In any way you look at that, having a full spectrum UV light available to snappers is not harmful and can only be beneficial. Seing them sleeping for hours in a hot spot under a warm bulb is a good enough reason for me to let them have it. Thanks for asking! Stan

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