What to Do if You Find Turtle
The sudden discovery of a rogue turtle can leave you baffled, wondering what to do next. Finding this small wanderer calls for a swift and knowledgeable reaction.
If you find a turtle, the initial action should be to identify the species. If it’s a common turtle like a box or painted turtle, return it to a safe nearby water source. If it’s an exotic or endangered species, contact your local wildlife authorities. Always remember, handling should be minimal to avoid stressing the animal.
Now, let’s navigate this turtle-rescuing journey together; there’s plenty to learn!
A Surprise Shell: Discovering a Turtle
Imagine you’re on a leisurely walk in a park or by a lakeside and suddenly, you spot a little creature hiding beneath a shell. Congratulations, you have just stumbled upon a turtle! But what now?
Signs You’ve Found a Turtle
Before jumping to conclusions, make sure you’ve definitely found a turtle. Although generally slow-moving, the unmistakable signs of a turtle are – a domed shell, paws or legs with either visible digits or flippers, and a non-extensible head. Turtles also have a hard beak without teeth. You’ll often find them near water bodies, fields, and sometimes, even in your own backyard.
The Different Types of Turtles You May Encounter
Should you come across a turtle, it’s also helpful to identify what type it is. There are over 356 known species of turtles worldwide, roughly grouped into two main types: sea turtles and non-marine turtles. Non-marine turtles include freshwater turtles, soft-shell turtles, and tortoises.
Sea turtles, such as the Loggerhead or the Green Sea Turtle, are marine creatures recognized by their flattened body and large flippers meant for extensive ocean travel. If you discover one of these away from water, immediately contact a wildlife rescue, as they may be injured or disoriented.
Non-marine turtles, like the Box Turtle or the Red-Eared Slider, are often found in streams, ponds, or on land. They are known for their hard, upper shell called a carapace and a bottom shell – the plastron. The Red-Eared Slider, for instance, gets its name from the distinctive bright red stripe around where its ‘ears’ would be and is the most popular pet turtle in the United States.
If you come across a creature with a domed shell and large, elephant-like legs, then you have found a tortoise. Tortoises typically spend most of their lives on land and are herbivorous.
In all cases, your reaction should be one of respect and caution. Being slow-moving, turtles are extremely vulnerable, so make sure to keep a safe distance and avoid causing them any stress.
First Steps: What to Do Immediately After Finding a Turtle
Have you found a turtle? Congratulations on meeting one of Mother Nature’s most resilient creatures. But what should you do next? The following guidelines will assist you in ensuring the turtle’s safety and health.
First Steps: What to Do Immediately After Finding a Turtle
Assuming the turtle isn’t in immediate danger, like in the middle of a busy road, take a moment to assess the situation. Is the turtle hurt? Is the turtle a baby or an adult? Make sure you have clean, dry hands before you handle the turtle, as small particles can stick to their skin and cause infections.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Handling Turtles
Do’s for Safe Turtle Handling
Always handle a turtle with two hands, one being used to support its underside. Ensure you maintain a secure grip but don’t squeeze too tightly, and keep them close to the ground when moving them so they aren’t injured if they squirm out of your hold. If it’s a larger turtle, lift it like you would a hamburger with hands on either side, thumbs on top and fingers underneath.
Don’ts to Avoid
Never lift a turtle by the tail, as this can lead to severe spinal injuries. Likewise, avoid touching their head, as turtles can react defensively and bite. Limit your handling as much as possible, as excessive handling can stress them out.
Assessing the Turtle’s Health
Check for visible signs of injuries such as blood, cracks or dents in the shell, swollen eyes, or issues with movement. If any of these signs are present, it’s crucial to contact a local wildlife professional or a vet immediately. Remember, even if a turtle doesn’t show any obvious signs of stress or injury, it doesn’t mean that they are in good health.
Identifying if the Turtle is Wild or a Lost Pet
Turtles found in unnatural environments, such as residential areas, are often escaped or abandoned pets. Look for unusual shell colors, shapes, or sizes that might indicate the turtle is a non-native species. If you believe the turtle is a pet, contact local animal control or a turtle rescue center.
Remember, anybody can make a difference in a turtle’s life, and your recent encounter could be a moment that ensures the turtle’s safety and survival.
The Jotting Journey: Documenting Your Findings
Finding a turtle can be an exciting experience, but knowing what to do when you stumble upon one is crucial. Not just for you, but for documenting this encounter, educating others, and possibly helping these beloved creatures in some cases. This part will guide you through some of the key steps to take during this experience.
Describing the Turtle: The Key Features to Note
When talking about turtles, it’s hard not to be impressed by their fantastic variations in size, color, and shell patterns. To describe the turtle you found, take note of its overall size. Size can vary widely, from 3 inches in some species to over 4 feet in others. Next, detail its color and shell pattern. These features contribute to the turtle’s identity, and hence are essential in documenting your encounter properly. How many scales does it have? What shape are they? Are they smooth or rough? Lastly, try to describe the habitat where it was found, such as a freshwater pond or sandy beach. This information can greatly aid in identifying the exact species of the turtle.
Snapping Shots: Taking Informative Photos
The best way to ensure others can see and learn from your encounter is by taking good, clear photos. Take multiple high-quality photographs of the turtle from different angles. Get close-ups of distinctive features such as the head, feet, and underbelly. If possible, get a picture of the turtle’s entire body from above, which will show its overall shape and shell pattern. Also, take a photo of the environment it’s found in. Remember these photos should be detailed enough for others to identify the turtle species from them.
Location, Location, Location: Writing Down Where You Found the Turtle
An integral part of documenting your turtle encounter is writing down the exact location where you found the turtle. This information is essential as different species of turtles are found in different geographies and habitats. Determining species and understanding turtle distributions may be impossible without this detail. Details could range from something as broad as ‘found in North Carolina’ to specifics like ‘spotted near a small pond in the eastern part of the Pisgah National Forest’. The more precise, the better.
Pool of Possibilities: What Next?
The moment you stumble upon a wild turtle or a lost pet, a pool of possibilities arises. What you can do falls under three primary categories: return it to its natural habitat, help it get back to its owner, or adopt it. Let’s uncover the ins and outs of each.
Returning Wild Turtles to Their Natural Habitat
If you encounter a wild turtle, it’s essential to remember that they are best left in their original environment. In fact, according to wildlife experts, when turtles are removed from the wild, it can result in significant imbalances in the ecosystem. Unless the animal is injured and needs human help, the best course of action would be to just admire it from afar and leave it undisturbed.
However, if you come across a turtle in danger—for instance, crossing a high-traffic road—guiding it to the other side might be necessary. Always assure that you’re leading it to the same direction it was originally moving. As Wildlife Protection Acts suggest, never attempt to take the turtle home or to a different area, as this could lead to both legal problems and harm for the turtle.
Assisting Lost Pet Turtles
Identifying lost pet turtles differs from recognizing wild ones. Often, you can tell a pet turtle if it’s a non-native species or if there are physical markings that denote human care, like painted shells or even attached leashes. If you find a lost pet turtle, contact your local animal control department or a turtle rescue agency immediately.
Until help arrives, provide a safe area for the turtle and offer it fresh water at room temperature without trying to feed it. Turtles have specific dietary requirements that if not met, could cause health problems. Furthermore, don’t leave it within reach of predators, including dogs and cats. Remember, a turtle is not just an animal, but someone’s beloved pet that they’re likely desperately missing.
Adopting a Turtle: the ins and outs
If it happens that you’ve fallen in love with the idea of having a turtle as a pet, next step would be adopting one. However, note that turtles aren’t as easy to care for as one might think. They require a complex habitat, specific diet, and can live up to 50 years. Prepare a suitable living condition, ensuring that it replicates their wild habitat as closely as possible to keep them healthy and content.
Consider adopting from a rescue center, rather than buying. This way, you’re giving a second chance to a turtle that might’ve been abandoned or mistreated. Turtle Rescue League reported an increase of 40% in the number of abandoned pet turtles between 2010 and 2015. Adopt don’t shop!
Knowledge is key before becoming a turtle parent. Research extensively, join online forums for turtle owners, consult with a specialized vet, and make sure you’re fully equipped to offer the best home to your new reptile friend.
Know Your Allies: Reaching out to Local Wildlife Centres or Veterinarians
When you come across a turtle, it’s essential to know how and when to reach out to local wildlife centres or veterinarians. They can provide necessary guidance and are experienced in dealing with these creatures. It’s crucial to identify a reputable centre or individual to guarantee the turtle’s proper care and treatment.
How to Find Reputable Wildlife Centre/Veterinary Services
Finding a reputable wildlife centre or veterinary service might sound challenging, but it’s simpler than you think. Start by conducting online research to identify local wildlife centres or veterinary services near your location. Ensure that they are licensed and well-reviewed. Websites, like those of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association or the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, can provide detailed listings of qualified centres and services. You can also try to check on the internet for some trustworthy animal welfare organizations. They usually recommend the listing of some reputed vets.
Contacting a local animal control office, city service, or wildlife agency can also yield reliable referrals. Most importantly, the centre or service in question should have experience with turtles, know how to treat any conditions they may be suffering, and be knowledgeable about rehabilitation processes, should they be needed.
What Information to Share with Them
When you contact a wildlife centre or veterinary service, it’s important to be prepared with the right information to facilitate the turtle’s assessment. Share a detailed description of the turtle, such as its approximate size, species (if you can identify it), behaviour, and any notable features or injuries. Be prepared to answer questions about where and when you found the turtle, the environment it was in (near a road, in a yard, in water), and any interactions it may have had with people or other animals. Accurate details can help the professionals design the best care plan for the animal. If possible, take photos from different angles for a visual documentation: they will be highly appreciated by wildlife experts.
The Adventure Continues: Living With a Turtle
Finding a turtle may seem like the start of a fun adventure. Getting to know your new friend, watching it wander around or even swim, providing it with food and care – all these things surely will add a spark of diversity in your daily routine. However, living with a turtle is also a significant commitment. You not only have to provide a safe home for them but also meet all their biological needs. Let’s explore the caring basics for a pet turtle and weigh the pros and cons of having such an unusual pet.
Caring for a Pet Turtle: The Basics
The Right Habitat
First and foremost, you need to provide your pet turtle with an appropriate habitat. Turtles require a specific mix of land and water areas within their environment. For example, aquatic turtles need a larger amount of water, whereas terrestrial turtles need a more substantial land space. On average, a 40-gallon tank should be enough space for a smaller turtle to thrive. Make sure the habitat even has a heating and lighting system mimicking the natural conditions of the turtle’s native environment.
Fulfilling Their Dietary Needs
Ensuring a balanced diet rich in nutrients is also essential while caring for a turtle. Most turtles are omnivores, consuming a mixture of both plants and meat. Some favorite foods among turtles include worms, fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables. You should consult with a vet about the diet specifics for your turtle’s species to optimize their health.
Providing Proper Care and Love
Like any other pet, turtles also need proper care and love from their owners. Regular veterinary visits are recommended to monitor their health status and to have any issues diagnosed earlier. Moreover, they enjoy the company. Introducing some toys to their habitat and giving them wandering time outside the tank (with your supervision) will keep them healthy, happy, and active.
The Pros and Cons of Having a Turtle as a Pet
While the idea of owning a turtle seems exciting, it also comes with several pros and cons that you should consider. On the pro side, turtles can live for several decades (sometimes outliving their owners), so they can indeed become lifelong pals. They have unique, appealing behaviors, exert minimal noise, and have less dander than traditional pets, representing less of an allergy risk.
On the con side, while turtles are generally low maintenance compared to dogs or cats, they still need specific, quality care, which not all potential pet owners can provide. Their significant lifespan can also be a challenge, involving possible long-term care issues. Also, certain varieties of turtles carry salmonella, a bacterium that could cause severe health issues for humans, especially those with weak body defense systems. Feeding and housing them can also increase household expenses over time.
Let’s Recap: What We’ve Learned
In this educational journey, we have covered quite a bit on the largely unexplored topic of what to do if you happen to find a turtle. This article has broadened our horizons regarding the critical steps to follow to ensure the turtle’s health and welfare, as well as our own.
Starting with the key rule, we learned to not disturb the turtle in its natural habitat and maintain a comfortable distance. This is because many turtles are protected by law, and interfering with them can have dire legal repercussions – not to mention the harm it can do to the turtle. However, in some cases, when a turtle is found on a busy road or in a dangerous area, we have discussed pointers on how to safely move it.
Regurgitating some important stats, remember that turtles are one of the oldest and most diverse species, with about 360 species known to us. However, a staggering 129 of them are either vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, according to the IUCN.
Adopting a turtle is quite a responsibility – it can live from anywhere between 20 to 40 years in captivity. That’s longer than most household pets. So, we discussed the parameters one needs to keep in mind before deciding to adopt a found turtle.
In case the found turtle appears wounded or ill, we learned it is crucial to contact local wildlife authorities or veterinary clinics buoyed to handle turtles. Keeping in mind that some species can pose risks to humans and other pets, this approach helps in maintaining everyone’s safety.
Finally, we have also reviewed the importance of educating ourselves about the turtle’s species if we find one. Distinguishing between a tortoise and turtle, or recognizing whether it is a freshwater or a seawater turtle, will significantly help in providing the correct care for the turtle and guide us in making an informed decision about whether or not to keep it.
While our exploration about handling found turtles has simmered down, the eager learner in us should always be on the lookout for more knowledge. Remember, the key is to respect these ancient creatures while ensuring their safety and well-being.
Resources
- https://vet.tufts.edu/tufts-wildlife-clinic/found-wildlife/what-do-if-you-found-sick-or-injured-turtle
- https://www.fws.gov/story/tips-helping-turtle-cross-road
- https://vet.tufts.edu/node/8561
