Found a box turtle, do I do anything?

[kyryah]

Okay, if his eyes are open, he should be fine. I was worried he might be dehydrated, and I was going to give you a little first aid if they were not open.

In that situation, what I would do is..

Do NOT bring the turtle inside. Get a pan or dish large enough to comfortably hold the turtle and enough water to go about halfway up the carapace (upper shell.)

Get some baby food carrots, (Gerber, etc.) Mix a full jar with warm, NOT hot water. Take the pan out to where the turtle is, and place the turtle inside. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes, just don't let the water get to cold.

Take the turtle out of the pan and place in the EXACT same spot you found it, and high tail it out of there to watch from a distance.

The warm water helps to rehydrate them, and the baby food offers a dose of vitamin A and some nutrients. They absorb it through the skin under the throat and around the cloaca.

If the one in your yard is moving around now, it is probably fine. You got to see something not too many people do anymore, due to declining habitat and people taking them from the wild.

Kristina

 

[paperdragon]

Yeah, he's found himself some rainwater, so I guess he'll be fine. Thanks!

 

[deeleywoman]

dang, kyryah, you sure know your turtles!!!

 

[kyryah]

LMBO, 14 years of research has finally paid off!

I am a crack shot with torts, too, hence the siggy

Kristina

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Any updates?


On a related note, my 4th and final EBT came out of hibernation over the weekend. I was getting worried when the other 3 woke up last week. I guess she's just a late riser. Everyone is healthy and eating well. I hope to have some eggs laid pretty soon.

 

[PuppyFluffer]

VF, are the turtles you are talking about in the wild?

I see box turtles on the road here a lot. I have to drive along the Potomac River to get to my house and they are often on the roads. I have always stopped and moved them off the black top in a straight line in the direction they were going. Is this ok?

I see about 3-4 of them killed by cars each summer. It saddens me a lot. I really love our native toad and turtle population!

 

[kyryah]

Any updates?


On a related note, my 4th and final EBT came out of hibernation over the weekend. I was getting worried when the other 3 woke up last week. I guess she's just a late riser. Everyone is healthy and eating well. I hope to have some eggs laid pretty soon.

My torts are of the non-hibernating type, and I think I am glad, lol. I am not sure that I could stand going months without seeing them, and then worrying if they are going to wake up or not.

Glad to hear yours came through! I know a woman who lost one this spring, it was the first time in SIXTY YEARS that it did not wake up from hibernation. Well, obviously the first time, lol, but it lived in her parent's yard for 60 years, so amazing.

Kristina

 

[Vicious_Fish]

VF, are the turtles you are talking about in the wild?

I see box turtles on the road here a lot. I have to drive along the Potomac River to get to my house and they are often on the roads. I have always stopped and moved them off the black top in a straight line in the direction they were going. Is this ok?

I see about 3-4 of them killed by cars each summer. It saddens me a lot. I really love our native toad and turtle population!

Some of the turtles that I have are rescues that I've acquired over the years. When I was growing up my dad use to travel quite a bit and if he came across a turtle crossing the road he would help by moving it off the road in the direction it was going. Sometimes he'd stop and find an injured turtle and he'd bring it home and we'd try to see if we could nurse it back to help. Turtles are tough animals and many of the one's that we fixed up were able to be released back in the area where they were found. Duct tape and wood shims make excellent splints.

The four EBT that I have had pretty traumatic injuries and ended up staying with me long term. One female was run over by a mower, another female was gnawed on by a dog, the third female was run over by a 20 ton bulldozer and the male was hit by a car.

I always help turtles if I find them crossing a busy road, even mean old snappers. I hate seeing them run over. If you’re going to safely rescue a turtle, watch for traffic and move the turtle in the direction it is heading.

 

[PuppyFluffer]

So your turtles are captive since they are injury survivors? How do you house them? I don't know much about turtle hibernation.
How do you sex them?

 

[Vicious_Fish]

My torts are of the non-hibernating type, and I think I am glad, lol. I am not sure that I could stand going months without seeing them, and then worrying if they are going to wake up or not.

Glad to hear yours came through! I know a woman who lost one this spring, it was the first time in SIXTY YEARS that it did not wake up from hibernation. Well, obviously the first time, lol, but it lived in her parent's yard for 60 years, so amazing.

Kristina

It really does stink when they have to hibernate. I do worry about them not waking up every spring. We had a pretty cold winter here so that last female gave me a scare. But I try to keep them in as natural of a setup as possible. And since they're a native, I let them hibernate like they would in the wild. I prepare for the worst and give them a lot of organic mulch to bury in.

EBT are one of those species that does poorly when kept indoors long term. They really need to have hibernation or cooling down period if they are to thrive. The two oldest females I have kept for over 20 years now which isn't too bad. They're probably in their 40-50's if I was to guess and they can live to be 100. I better put them in my will!