Snapping turtles are not the kind of animal that most people think of as “cute” with their funnel-shaped noses, thick, warty bodies, and armored tails. Box turtles are cute. Sea turtles are adorable.

They may be small now, but with help from two-legged friends at John Ball Zoo and Calvin University, baby spotted turtles are growing stronger for life in the wild. The two institutions have partnered ...