My father brought my daughter a turtle he found. A baby turtle.. I was wondering if anyone here knew much about turtles.
It has a tail and has three raised bumps? on the back of it's shell. They're of a much lighter color than the rest of his shell.
He's about the size of a 50 cent peice or slightly smaller.
I'll post some pictures when I can.
Anyone able to identify or give tips on care?
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Some states (FL, I think, for example) have laws forbidding or regulating pet turtles, something about spreading really bad diseases or somesuch.
I recommend doing lots of homework on this one. I've heard tons of stuff. One of my gaming friend's husband is a wildlife rescue / animal shelter worker and another friend is a big turtle lover (he's had some since he was a kid). Nonetheless, I'm skeptical on repeating stuff from memory. Not only may my memory be suspect; the stuff I've heard may not be 100% accurate.
-W. E. Ray
TN has several state laws about turtles. When I was younger you could buy them in pet stores, but because of their popularity as pets in the late 80's early 90's (Ninja Turtles) they were captured to the point of endangerment. I used to see them walking down roads all the time which probably didn't help their population, now I haven't seen one in years.
I would guess you have a box turtle, but not sure. How domed is the shell?
Be ready for a long commitment if you keep it as a pet land turtles and live 60 to 100+ years. With tortoises it's almost unknown how love they can live.
Fizz
Tortoise!? :P
Offhand it sounds like a snapping turtle. Might want to keep her fingers away from it until you can get a positive id.
or stick your fingers as close to it's face as possible, if it bites, you know what it is... ^_^
or stick your fingers as close to it's face as possible, if it bites, you know what it is... ^_^
Just hand it to some stranger. That's safer.
The mystery illness, by the way, is salmonella.
I went on the internet and typed in "Types of tutles pictures" and saw several species. You might want to consider where the turtle was found when conducting a search, should help narrow things down. So where was it found?
Found: Woods central Indiana
Type: I agree with the 'snapper' bit...
I think while she's at school this week.. he's going to somehow manage to escape... she'll be upset but it's for the best. I don't know how to care for a turtle..
I mean.. she's already got a Siberian Husky... sheesh..
But! I will take some pictures and link them later today.
Picture Links:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/stiledemornay/IMG_2192.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/stiledemornay/IMG_2193.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/stiledemornay/IMG_2194.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/stiledemornay/IMG_2195.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/stiledemornay/IMG_2196.jpg
Found: Woods central Indiana
Type: I agree with the 'snapper' bit...I think while she's at school this week.. he's going to somehow manage to escape... she'll be upset but it's for the best. I don't know how to care for a turtle..
I mean.. she's already got a Siberian Husky... sheesh..
But! I will take some pictures and link them later today.
DON'T SET IT FREE until you know it is a native species!!
While I consider myself an expert I am sure real experts would disagree so I am looking at the photos now--will let you know if I can tell. BTW all turtles bite not just snappers, but if your finger does not come back then yes it might be a snapper.
Oh, I've seen many of the type... and I don't know how a baby would've gotten here otherwise... but I know what you mean.
Yeah.. turtles bite.. but snappers don't let go...
hmmm not on your native Indiana species list
this is cool, but I can not see the plastron well enough and you have a baby, so it may not be old enough for some of the characteristics to show yet: Turtles
Probably a sawback (a type of box turtle) though some of the pics look like a mapturtle. If you can tell me about the belly and maybe the coloration on the neck I might be able to get farther.
These folks can probably help you better though (locals and experts :)
link
other link
I do this for my area so keep my posted.
The pictures are not of a snapping turtle. The shell is too domed, and it doesn't have a beak. It can't see the full neck extended, but it doesn't look like it has a snake like neck.
You always can keep it let get big then eat it.....turtle soup is so good.
Fizz
Can you flip the lil' guy? I think what you may have there is a Eastern Box Turtle (though it sure looks like a Gulf Coast Box).
I should probably add here that it is illegal in the state of Indiana to collect these turtles from the wild (as they are endangered).
I'll flip and snap some of his belly.
I'm probably going to release him soon near my pond as that's what I do with most turtles I rescue from the road.
But, seeing as you mention about the species having issues.. perhaps I should call DNR.
Depending on the officer (Holy crap endangered species vs. Yeah, we should probably put that back vs. Um…it’s a..turtle…), they may even issue you a box turtle permit (which are free). Technically, the Easterns are only threatened, while the Ornate is endangered, but they passed a separate bill in 2004 to protect the Eastern specifically.
Some things to keep in mind though:
It’s going to get big, (/Shatner Voice: ”Really big.”
It will outlive you and your daughter if properly cared for.
Keeping turtles alive is a serious pita, they are sensitive creatures out of the wild.
It will need a UV light source, some soft sand to bury itself in, a shallow pan of water (not deep, turtles DO drown), and a place out of direct sunlight (or it will overheat). Luckily, box turtle diet is pretty forgiving.
Overall, very cool that you found a juvenile. A few years yet before it will be ready to mate, and it bodes well for the population.
Yeah, I explained to her how we might not be able to keep it and why. She's pretty okay with it.. she's an alright kid.
Here are photos of the belly;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/stiledemornay/IMG_2199.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/stiledemornay/IMG_2198.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/stiledemornay/IMG_2197.jpg
What can you do with a turtle?... Lol. It barely moves. If your lucky enough he'll bit your daughter's finger off. I say, put it back in the creek it came from and get a hamster.
Ultradan
p.s.: What exactly do you feed a turtle anyway?
p.s.: What exactly do you feed a turtle anyway?
Depends on the turtle. My mom had one that was quite fond of dog and cat food. And grapes.
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p.s.: What exactly do you feed a turtle anyway?Depends on the turtle. My mom had one that was quite fond of dog and cat food. And grapes.
I used to feed mine pizza.....of course it was a ninja turtle. Damn thing kept yapping at me and the misses in surfer lingo too.....'awesome, dude!','Radical'....believe me we where glad when the nice guy in spikey armor came to take him off our hands......
Eww.. hamsters. Nastly little rodents. Like I said... we have a husky.. and she has "Fat Fish" in the old player piano turn aqaurium.. (Bluegill)
I don't know if I want to tackle a turtle.. I mean.. She'd have to will it off to her kids...
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Just an FYI...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is likely that more than 90% of reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians) are asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella bacteria. Reptile and amphibian contacts are estimated to account for 74,000 (6%) of all Salmonella infections reported annually in the United States.
Salmonella infection causes fever, abdominal pain, and severe bloody diarrhea. Patients usually recover in several days, but may require antibiotics to fight the illness. Certain individuals are considered high-risk for salmonellosis, such as those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, the elderly, and particularly children aged 5 years and younger.
For these groups a bout with salmonellosis may be devastating, leading to blood infections, meningitis (infection of the brain or spinal cord membranes), osteomyelitis (infection of bone), miscarriage, and possibly death. For this reason, the CDC recommends these individuals, in particular children 5 years and under, have no contact with reptiles.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00997.html
Here are photos of the belly;
Ah, yep yep. There's the single hinged plastron I was looking for. I "think" your turtle is a she.
p.s.: What exactly do you feed a turtle anyway?
This particular turtle likes bugs, caterpillars, eggs, and small fish. Eventually it will want some veggies and larger animals (frogs, birds).
As far as salmonella goes, the UV light (which is essential to proper diet anyhow) will help kill a little (like 25%) of it, but your best defense is still washing your hands and not doing anything silly like kissing your turtle (oh, and clean where it walks too, as it will leave a salmonella trail on your carpet). We carry E. coli around in our gut all the time, turtles just happen to carry salmonella instead.
Guess I should get some supplies and start dropping in some ants in the meantime.
Thanks a lot guys.
Did you figure out what it is MBW?
The scutes on your pics do not match any on the turtle identifier, but the closest I got was Alabama map turtle. This pic has more yellow than yours but coloration changes are common with age. There are plenty of commercial turtle foods out there, I would not go with a dog food (nor would I give most dog foods to my dogs :) and live food can be a lot of work. Returning it to the wild if it is native is still an option imho.
Cute little bugger!
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p.s.: What exactly do you feed a turtle anyway?This particular turtle likes bugs, caterpillars, eggs, and small fish. Eventually it will want some veggies and larger animals (frogs, birds).
Not a turtle expert, but Paul's looks more of a spotted skin than the more intricate designs on map turtles I've looked at online, even young ones. There are many types of map turtles though, so I might have just been looking at the wrong type.
Also: I beleive there is a federal law prohibiting that sale of baby turtles and their eggs due to salmonella, but if you live near a city with a chinatown you can still find them there, and the baby might not be native to the area if that is the case.
I LIKE TURTLES!!.
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Also: I beleive there is a federal law prohibiting that sale of baby turtles and their eggs due to salmonella, but if you live near a city with a chinatown you can still find them there, and the baby might not be native to the area if that is the case.
There is; prohibiting the sale of turtles with a shell length under 4" except for educational or research purposes. It is to prevent the sale of 'cute'little animals to kids, or at least making sure they are big enough to not fit in most kids' mouths. It is related to the salmonella scare mentioned above. I have NEVER seen it enforced even at herp shows, since 'educational' means the buyer 'said' it was educational.
I had (prior to knowing it's diet...) put a small piece of lettuce in with her which she didn't really touch. The live worm I caught yesterday before driving around enjoying the day she took a nice big bite out of.. hah! Silly worm.
All in all - I'm probably going to take her to the pet store then DNR for identification... if something special.. see if for some reason the Zoo might want her. Although I doubt they're in the habit of taking animals in off the streets.. so to speak.
If all else fails... in the pond she'll go.
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I have NEVER seen it enforced even at herp shows, since 'educational' means the buyer 'said' it was educational.
I have seen state inspectors tell pet stores to get them off the store floor, even if there is a big writeup on the tank saying that they are not for sale or for display only. I've even heard of them saying it if the turtles were in the back room. (my dad used to own a per store like 122 years ago)
Born Free... free as the wind blows.... So, yesterday I asked her to release the turtle. She did. She put her in the pond and came back crying.. it worked out. Poor lil kid.
so, no more turtle in the house.
Born Free... free as the wind blows.... So, yesterday I asked her to release the turtle. She did. She put her in the pond and came back crying.. it worked out. Poor lil kid.
so, no more turtle in the house.
S&!# I just saw this thread....
My brother and sister in law are exotic pet experts (Veterinarians) and could identify it for certain if I sent them your pix.... but I guess this story is over, eh?
Ultradan
p.s.: What exactly do you feed a turtle anyway?
Well, gopher tortoises like dog poop.
Born Free... free as the wind blows.... So, yesterday I asked her to release the turtle. She did. She put her in the pond and came back crying.. it worked out. Poor lil kid.
so, no more turtle in the house.
s**@ I just saw this thread....
My brother and sister in law are exotic pet experts (Veterinarians) and could identify it for certain if I sent them your pix.... but I guess this story is over, eh?
Shoot. I wish I had waited a little longer now.
But... feel free to send them the pics... so we all know for sure. :D