Found a box turtle, do I do anything?

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paperdragon

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Mar 7, 2008
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For some reason an eastern box turtle has apparently wandered into my fenced in front yard and is sitting next to my porch. I live on a 1 acre city lot with a highway behind my house, and just a small field and patch of woods next door. I haven't seen the turtle's eyes open yet, I don't know if it's a fear response for them to squeeze their eyes shut or if there's something wrong.
I guess my question is, do I move him to the field, or leave him where he's at, or what?
 
I would leave him alone for now. He probably just woke up from hibernation, and that is why he isn't very responsive. If he is still there in a day or two, find a LICENSED wildlife rehabilitator to take him to (I can help with that if need be.) Once they are removed from the wild, they have to be handled carefully or they risk spreading disease to wild populations from things they come into contact with in captivity, and I personally believe that wild things should stay wild.

Kristina
 
i'd agree. just keep an eye on him, he'll tell you if he's healthy or injuried or whatever.
 
Yeah, I just kind of worry since he's right by the play yard for my nieces and nephews. Kids tend to be a bit too inquisitive.
 
kyryah said:
I would leave him alone for now. He probably just woke up from hibernation, and that is why he isn't very responsive. If he is still there in a day or two, find a LICENSED wildlife rehabilitator to take him to (I can help with that if need be.) Once they are removed from the wild, they have to be handled carefully or they risk spreading disease to wild populations from things they come into contact with in captivity, and I personally believe that wild things should stay wild.

Kristina
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I agree. My only concern is the future of this turtle. I'd hate for it to become squished on the roads around you if it's as built up of an area as you say it is. Moving them to a less populated area can also be a problem. Many species including this one have homeing instincts and will actually try to make their way back to the area they lived which can mean crossing busy highways to get there.
 
Vicious_Fish said:
I agree. My only concern is the future of this turtle. I'd hate for it to become squished on the roads around you if it's as built up of an area as you say it is. Moving them to a less populated area can also be a problem. Many species including this one have homeing instincts and will actually try to make their way back to the area they lived which can mean crossing busy highways to get there.
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I worry about road issues too, but not knowing the laws of the area that the OP is in, I can't in good conscience advise moving the turtle. In some areas, certain species are so protected that you can get FINED just helping them across the road, case in point, the Gopherus polyphemus in FL.

Perhaps contacting the DNR is the best way to handle it.

Kristina
 
The thing about Box turtles, no matter where you put them, they'll always just turn around and go where they originally wanted to. If you knew what direction he was headed in, you could probably take him that way a little bit and save him a few road crossings, but if you guess wrong, he's just going to turn around and cross the extra roads all over again. Best to just leave him where he is, he probably knows what he's doing. Good luck
 
Vicious_Fish said:
I agree. My only concern is the future of this turtle. I'd hate for it to become squished on the roads around you if it's as built up of an area as you say it is. Moving them to a less populated area can also be a problem. Many species including this one have homeing instincts and will actually try to make their way back to the area they lived which can mean crossing busy highways to get there.
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Well, there's about 3, maybe 4 acres on the one side next to my house. Is that enough territory for a turtle? I have no idea if that's where he came from or not.
So far he hasn't moved at all. I'm thinking he might have been hibernating in my yard somewhere.
 
Whether it is enough territory depends on a lot of factors, if there are other turtles, predators, food and water sources...

I believe too that he was hibernating in your yard and just woke up. Are his eyes open at all? How cold is it outdoors, and how wet are your winters?


Kristina
 
kyryah said:
Whether it is enough territory depends on a lot of factors, if there are other turtles, predators, food and water sources...

I believe too that he was hibernating in your yard and just woke up. Are his eyes open at all? How cold is it outdoors, and how wet are your winters?


Kristina
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Ok, he hadn't opened his eyes last I looked, but I just checked and he's wide awake and moving around a bit now.
We just got hit with hot weather, this week the temps have been in the 80's and 90's in the day, and high 50's at night. Our winters tend to be a little on the dry side.

Btw, the only state regulations I could find were a maximum number you can collect from the wild. So, no laws against moving non-endangered turtles here.

Heh, just checked again, all he did was climb into an old gutter to get to the rainwater.
 
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