Can you train a snapping turtle not to snap?

Well, Yes and No... I've had my Alligator Snapping Turtle since his shell was about the size of a quarter (about a week old) and I handle him regularly. He's now three YEARS old, and for the most part I handle him with no worries.

While he's never snapped at me in defense, there was one time he snapped at a scab on my hand which looked like a piece of food he gets fed, so it makes sense.

His shell is now the size of a small pancake, and his jaws are huge. He can definitely do some damage now, but has yet to bit me. I regularly take him out of his tank, and pet his nose and he just squirms.

However, it takes him quite some time to catch his feeder fish, so he could just be a slow learner. Bottom line, I plan on keeping him as long as he/I are alive, and I don't believe he'll ever bite me in defense cause damage. Although, he does notice when other people are in the room, and acts much more curiously.

These creatures are much more intelligent than we think, however they can bite hard as hell, so should always be handled by a professional with caution.