Look what I just found on my backyard!!!

[BitsyNaceyDog]

My co-worker said that turtles could carry Salmonella, and make the dogs sick. That scares me even more..

Basically I don't want to keep it, but am not sure about how to get rid of it.

Water turtles often do carry salmonella, but very rarely do land turtles/tortoises. You really don't have to worry about that.

As far as getting rid of him- it's usually best to put him back as close to where you found him as you can. Is your yard fenced? Maybe you could put him just outside your fence. If not I'd try to find a good wooded area to release him.

[K9soul]

Box turtles are technically neither turtles nor tortoises. They are considered terrapins. In any case I don't think M&M's Mommy is planning to "keep" her so the dietary questions should not be a big concern . Ornates are one of the more difficult species to keep anyway, and are not like the eastern or three toed boxers in that they eat primarily an insect diet rather than vegetation.

[M&M's Mommy]

Water turtles often do carry salmonella, but very rarely do land turtles/tortoises. You really don't have to worry about that.

As far as getting rid of him- it's usually best to put him back as close to where you found him as you can. Is your yard fenced? Maybe you could put him just outside your fence. If not I'd try to find a good wooded area to release him.

My yard is fenced, and the neighbors' yard on both side are also fenced. The closest forest (wooded area?) is a couple hours away. There are no streams or water areas that I know of. I can put him back into the yard, but unless he digs an underground tunnel, I don't see how he can get out. Oh wait, how he got in no one knows for sure, but he did get in, he can get out, right?

*Sigh*. I'll put him back in the spot where I found him tonite. And if by Sunday he's still there, I'll call animal control and have them take care of him for me.

[Sophist]

This is a common turtle in the pet trade. Is it indigenous to your state? I highly doubt it. If it was a healthy wild turtle, it would have buried itself for hibernation by now. Plus, box turtles typically never move more than a few acres in their whole entire lives. He is only at your house by human interference and cruelty.

And also a word of caution about turning him into any local SPCA, or Humane Society... if you do this, please check them out carefully first. You would be amazed at how many will put down healthy, adoptable reptiles as a matter of policy. The HSUS and others are very much against pet reptiles, and if you turn him in to a typical shelter, well... he may actually be better of wandering into the busy city streets, which are his only other option right now besides your yard!

Please, if you are afraid of him, let me help you locate a reptile rescue! This little guy needs help. I don't think he's going to get another chance if you're giving up on him so easily .

[M&M's Mommy]

And also a word of caution about turning him into any local SPCA, or Humane Society... if you do this, please check them out carefully first. You would be amazed at how many will put down healthy, adoptable reptiles as a matter of policy. The HSUS and others are very much against pet reptiles, and if you turn him in to a typical shelter, well... he may actually be better of wandering into the busy city streets, which are his only other option right now besides your yard!

Please, if you are afraid of him, let me help you locate a reptile rescue! This little guy needs help. I don't think he's going to get another chance if you're giving up on him so easily .

What are my other options?? I don't want to keep him in my backyard, because I don't know anything about reptiles, and won't be able to meet his need. Plus I have three small dogs who would not leave him alone

[K9soul]

Sophist, why do you highly doubt this ornate box turtle is indigenous? I grew up in Southern Missouri and saw many, many, many turtles exactly like this one. It is naturally found in many states in the wild. Eastern box turtles are more common captive bred pets, not as often ornates. Her hibernation spot may very well have been disturbed, and she was out and about seeking another one. The longer she is kept, the greater chance of her not making it. Her shell is also a bit beat up as is common in a lot of wild turtles who have been bumped by cars or whatnot before. If she is being kept inside, goes from cool outdoors, to warm indoors, back to cool outdoors, that alone could cause her to sicken and die. What region do you live in M&M's Mommy? It would be very easy to find out if ornate box turtles are native to your region.

Caution: ornate box turtles are not hardy and are not suitable for beginners. The have very specific needs, are very sensitive to stress and are difficult to keep in captivity. The wild capture of ornate box turtles for the pet trade has caused the untimely death of many of these easily stressed and delicate turtles, so if you are determined to keep an ornate box turtle please seek out a captive bred specimen and do not support the capture of wild turtles for the pet trade.

Additionally, box turtle populations are declining (listed by CITES as threatened, and import/export permits are necessary). Many states protect box turtle populations and have laws against collecting box turtles from the wild. It is best to get a pet box turtle bred in captivity from a reputable breeder. Wild caught turtles do not adjust well to captivity and many die from the stress. Pet stores often carry wild caught turtles, so be careful.

link to article

edit: Also it does not matter if your back yard is fenced, turtles are excellent burrowers and climbers. They can easily get in, and out, of a fenced yard.

[Sophist]

Sophist, why do you highly doubt this ornate box turtle is indigenous?

She simply does not sound like she is in an area it would be indigenous to. But, without her actual location, all I can do is doubt, and not be sure. I am aware that there are box turtles indigenous to parts of the united states, but that does not mean they can live anywhere in the U.S.

Even if it is in a state it naturally occurs in, it wouldn't be in a busy city area.

[K9soul]

She simply does not sound like she is in an area it would be indigenous to. But, without her actual location, all I can do is doubt, and not be sure. I am aware that there are box turtles indigenous to parts of the united states, but that does not mean they can live anywhere in the U.S.

Even if it is in a state it naturally occurs in, it wouldn't be in a busy city area.

Gotcha. Although I lived in town and still saw turtles frequently in yards and such. But as you say it is difficult to understand the whole situation without "seeing" it.

M&M, I found this on ornates..

"The Ornate Box Turtle may be found from South Dakota to southern Arizona and the Rio Grande valley. The Mississippi River generally marks the eastern boundary of its range. It prefers prairies and pastures to woodlands."

I'm not sure if they are ever found in your area but it did not mention as far west as California. It may be some released "pet" although my guess is at one time it was wild. Someone could have picked it up in another area and brought it home as a pet and then just released it. I would do a search in your phone book or online for the wildlife department or conservation department, or even Animal Control, and ask who you should get in touch with to help her. It sounds like you are keeping her in good temporary quarters. I wish the best for the poor girl.

[M&M's Mommy]

If she is being kept inside, goes from cool outdoors, to warm indoors, back to cool outdoors, that alone could cause her to sicken and die. What region do you live in M&M's Mommy? It would be very easy to find out if ornate box turtles are native to your region.

Right now we put the turtle in a huge plastic box in the patio area, with some dirt, dried grasses and a lectuce leave dipped in water for it. It has not been touched nor moved since it was found & placed in there yesterday. I am not sure how long the turtle had been in my backyard before I found it yesterday morning.

I live in Garden Grove, Orange County, California. How do I find out if it's native to my area, and what difference does that make??

[Sophist]

I live in Garden Grove, Orange County, California. How do I find out if it's native to my area, and what difference does that make??

It isn't, and in general, it is the difference between life and death for released herps.

Here is a list of some Cali reptile rescues:

http://www.anapsid.org/societies/calif.html


This is probably your best bet right here, tho. If they can't take care of you, they'd probably at least be the best resource to hook you up with someone who could:

http://www.reptilerescueca.org/

Thank you so much for being willing to help her. A lot of people wouldn't. I know it isn't the same as finding a cute fluffy animal needing help, but reptiles are very special to me, and they can have a pretty rough time of getting the help they need. Let me know if I can help you out at all, and please let me know if they help you.

As far as feeding, it probably won't be a big issue... you can offer her some of the appropriate diet mentioned, but like I said before, she should be hibernating right now, so she shouldn't have too much of a feeding response. Ooh... thank you again for trying! I was so worried about her today. Please, please, please let me know any way I can help!

[Sophist]

What are my other options?? I don't want to keep him in my backyard, because I don't know anything about reptiles, and won't be able to meet his need. Plus I have three small dogs who would not leave him alone

I strongly urge you to try to locate a rescue (I could help if I knew your location) or at least contact your local shelters to ask about their reptile policies.

I have to leave for work soon, this is going to eat at me all day wondering what will happen to this little guy.

[M&M's Mommy]

I strongly urge you to try to locate a rescue (I could help if I knew your location) or at least contact your local shelters to ask about their reptile policies.

I have to leave for work soon, this is going to eat at me all day wondering what will happen to this little guy.

I'm willing to do anything to help the poor liltle guy. I just don't know how, so any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I'm willing to do anything to help the poor liltle guy. I just don't know how, so any help will be greatly appreciated.

Can you take him to a nearby park with some trees and area for him to live?

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Put him outside of a fenced area so he can be more mobile, more quickly. I can't believe you still have him contained! The sooner he can get back out into nature, the better off he is going to be. Did you ever try to call a wildlife rehab center for advice?

Yes, as long as the little guy isn't injured, I would let him go somewhere safe, away from traffic.

[M&M's Mommy]

Put him outside of a fenced area so he can be more mobile, more quickly. I can't believe you still have him contained! The sooner he can get back out into nature, the better off he is going to be. Did you ever try to call a wildlife rehab center for advice?

There is nothing "nature" where I live. Outside of the fenced area are the city streets!! I live in the city where there are nothing but houses along the streets. If I leave him out, he'll either be crushed by people or killed by cars.

I'll leave him out in my yard for now, and if I still find him by Sunday, I'll call animal control to come pick him up.