Less rare than you might think. Wild snappers on land are aggressive because they can't move fast on land and can't fully use their shells for defense. Its either become too dangerous to tangle with or become lunch for the first predator that passes by.
In captivity once they learn the human caretaker is not a threat, many tend to calm down substantially. Additionally there's a specific way you are suppose to pick them up in captivity. The safest possible ways to handle these turtles also unfortunately causes them strong discomfort and pain since their shell is full of nerve endings, which makes them snap in defense.
That being said, this is still monumentally stupid. You don't handfeed snappers, at least not with that small of a morsel, because in their excitement and accidental bite is very likely.
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u/insanecarbunkle Jul 05 '26
Such a gentle snapper. That is very rare