Turtle people, HELP

[ferretinmyshoes]

Yeah Rio's rump looks bad. I had one that looked very similar, and have seen plenty more like it. She'll be just fine.

As much as I want to promote the wild turtle population I am hesitant to advise releasing them. There's obviously something they are not safe from. And to be chewed on again with even less shell to protect them could lead to more devastating injuries. And all the box turtle rehabbers are very against just releasing turtles at random with their homing behavior that causes them to wander aimlessly for months, often into areas of danger. I wouldn't feel guilty about keeping them if I were you! They are much safer in your caring hands. Maybe once they're adults and have healed better and homed to that location you could reconsider release near your property. But I would keep them safe for the next couple of years (and probably forever) if it was me. Who knows, maybe you'll find a chewed up male too and then you can contribute onto the wild population with future babies!

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Well, the issue is box turtles have a great sense of direction, and where they are. If you relocate them, they just try to head back "home". So this means they would be trying to cross roads, and other dangers, just to get back here. ;/

Thats my understanding anyhow.

Yep, that's correct.

 

[chameleonboy1]

Im wanting a box turtle and I can't find any outside....I used to live in town and would find them in my back yard all the time I moved out to the country (about 5 miles away) and haven't seen one in years I remember as a little kid I found one and my mom got fingernail polish and we wrote max on his shell the next summer he showed back up and he still had max written on him I thought that might not be healthy so I got it off of there

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Please do not 'adopt' a wild one. Their numbers are dwindling rapidly, especially in east Texas. It's actually illegal to take one from the wild. You can contact the Gulf Coast Turtle and Tortoise Society about adopting a rescue though! Some are hatched from injured wild ones in captivity and some were injured and need new homes. Most of them look and act totally healthy! Once you are a member (not expensive) you can start the adoption process. That is where I've gotten a number of box turtles over the years. They do good work and always have lots of box turtles needing homes. That is a much, much better alternative than taking one out of what's left of its wild population where it is really needed.

 

[JonRich]

Do you have Racoons or Rats in your area? Maybe a Fox?

I don't see a cat being able to do that kinda damage, and frankly not a Posson either.

You know what would be fun and might get to the bottom of your problem. Get a cheap game-trail camera and set it up near where the turtles were found. Maybe bait the area unfront the cam with some kind of meat thats tied down to keep them from running off with it b4 you get a pic. Whatever it is is carnivirous

 

[Solid Snake]

Yes, I know we at least have racoons, as they get hit on the road occasionally. D;

Im still not sure what it was, I spend a LOT of time back there, at all hours of the day, and have never seen any wild mammals, just bird, lizards, snakes, and frogs.

I have some somewhat disheartening news though.

Rio, and Bigurl have escaped.

It happened about a week and a half ago.

I had them out, letting them play in their "pond" area, with bricks all around so they could not get out. This is something I had done many times before.

I had them there, while I was working on cham cages and such, checking them every so often. I had left them out of site for maybe 5 min max, and they had somehow scaled the bricks, and were no where to be found. ;(

Im not to concerned, especially about Bigurl, as she was not that bad off.

Rio was still a bit fleshy in some areas, but I think she will be ok in that area. As long as they can stay away from whatever it is that is attacking them.

I still look for them every few days, but have not seen any sign of them.

I keep the whole back half of my yard "wild", and there is a huge stump/old burn pit/area that they were found near, and that I suspect they, and other turtles/animals use as a home. I believe that is were they headed to, because its the only place I cant really search thoroughly.

Thanks for everyones help with them! I really appreciate it! ;D

They were a joy to have around, and I learned a lot from them.

If they ever turn back up, Ill let you guys know.