Look what I just found on my backyard!!!

[Sophist]

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

No, no, no!

Even if it was a NATIVE reptile, it would be quite traumatic to it to move it so far. If it was suited to life in the wild, it would already be buried and hibernating. In any case, this is not a California turtle, which not only means trouble for the turtle but also for M&M's Mommy if she is caught dumping it there.


I am a little amazed at the number of PT'ers who (especially after it having already been clearly established that she is in an urban area and this is not the turtles' native habitat) are in favor of just abandoning it. A cat would have a much better chance of surviving, but I don't think anybody would be so callous as to suggest dumping a kitty.

[K9soul]

I am a little amazed at the number of PT'ers who (especially after it having already been clearly established that she is in an urban area and this is not the turtles' native habitat) are in favor of just abandoning it. A cat would have a much better chance of surviving, but I don't think anybody would be so callous as to suggest dumping a kitty.

Sophist, I understand your concern. I keep checking back to see any updates. Reptiles and especially turtles/tortoises have a special place in my heart. But only one person has mentioned release after it was established that the turtle is not native there, and she probably just hadn't read through all the replies (happens often). I had made my original suggestions based on the thought that the turtle was a wild turtle there. I lived in town and frequently had turtles visit our back yard, even had them hibernate in the brush pile before. Sometimes on a warm day in November, December etc, they'd come out and scrounge a bit before burrowing back down. I guess that is what I was thinking of with this little girl. Now that more information is revealed, I'm in complete agreement with your advice.

[Sophist]

Sophist, I understand your concern. I keep checking back to see any updates. Reptiles and especially turtles/tortoises have a special place in my heart. But only one person has mentioned release after it was established that the turtle is not native there, and she probably just hadn't read through all the replies (happens often). I had made my original suggestions based on the thought that the turtle was a wild turtle there. I lived in town and frequently had turtles visit our back yard, even had them hibernate in the brush pile before. Sometimes on a warm day in November, December etc, they'd come out and scrounge a bit before burrowing back down. I guess that is what I was thinking of with this little girl. Now that more information is revealed, I'm in complete agreement with your advice.

She did establish pretty early on she was a city-dweller, though.

[Uabassoon]

She did establish pretty early on she was a city-dweller, though.

I'm a city-dweller as well and I seen desert tortiouses near my house.

[Sophist]

I'm a city-dweller as well and I seen desert tortiouses near my house.

I've lived in Orange County before, and trust me... you don't see many. Especially not many that don't live in the wild areas of Cali.

M&M's Mom, have you still just left it in the yard? It does not sound like a healthy terrapin, so this worries me a lot. Did you try to contact Reptile Rhapsody like I suggested? Have you recieved a reply email?

[M&M's Mommy]

I've lived in Orange County before, and trust me... you don't see many. Especially not many that don't live in the wild areas of Cali.

M&M's Mom, have you still just left it in the yard? It does not sound like a healthy terrapin, so this worries me a lot. Did you try to contact Reptile Rhapsody like I suggested? Have you recieved a reply email?

I sent two emails, and just checked my mailbox a few minutes ago. No replies yet.

I placed her in the yard since Friday afternoon, checked it on Saturday morning, and found that it had not moved very far (only a few feet from where I left it) - On Saturday afternoon, we checked again, and she moved a few more feet (but still very much visible on my yard). My husband was worry, so this morning he placed it back into the container!

We're back at square one.

I called another rescue group, but no one answered the phone so I left a message. I came to the local petstore to ask them about it, and they said that it's a box turtle and could be kept as pet, which I don't want to for myself. Do you think I should ask around my family members and friends to see if anyone might want a turtle pet, in case I hear no response from the rescue groups?

[Sophist]

Why haven't you called Reptile Rhapsody? Clearly, this little turtle isn't doing well. He needs help. He needs it right away, from the sounds of it. You an try looking for family members to take it, but if they have no idea how to care for box turtles it could be pretty tricky to nurse one back to help.
Please call Reptile Rhapsody. If it helps, I will give you a phone card number to use. If they can't help you, they can at least get you in touch with the best people to save this life.