Usually this time of year is slow, but last month I took in three Sulcata tortoises. Two are only about a year old and quite small, the other probably about five or so and much larger. On January 6th we had a warm spell so I had him outside grazing. He was delighted to say the least. When I brought him back in let’s say he was not so happy. Luckily we had another break in the weather and I was able to ship him to a new home down in Alabama where he can get out to graze much more often. The two smaller torts will be adopted out in the spring.
This month, January, has also brought in some new boarders. First a very young Eastern box turtle. Had been chewed on by an animal and was found in someones back yard almost a year ago. They kept it in a tank and fed it greens. Shell healed well with vet care, but diet was not so good. Luckily the shell isn’t too deformed but the plastron isn’t looking too good, nor are the legs and feet at this point. Hopefully on a good diet with proper habitat we can get this turtle to grow into a healthy turtle that can live a good life.
We also got in two adult Eastern box turtles. Both were kept by an elderly gentleman for, according the neighbor, anywhere from 10 – 20 years. In August the gentleman passed away leaving these turtles with nobody to care for them. They both look good except for the bottom mandible which is excessivly shorter than the top which makes it difficult for them to hold certain foods, especially live wiggly ones. They try so hard but need help with things like superworms, crickets, butterworms, etc.
Our other additions are two large female Red eared sliders. Both appear to have respiratory infection. One has lesions which appear to be bite marks but it’s hard to tell. There are actually chunks of skin hanging off of this turtle. Most dead skin that I was able to cut away. I’ll treat them and adopt them out if they make it. Since they are a hardy species they should survive. Hopefully they will and can enjoy the life in sunny Florida.
A large female Russian tortoise came in as well. This one I have not decided what to do with yet. She was kept with a Sulcata tortoise for about six years. Fed romaine lettuce. Free roam of an apartment with said Sulcata. A week prior to being surrendered the Sulcata died for no apparent reason. Isolation for this tortoise and I haven’t decided if I’ll have testing done or not, but I do strongly suspect cross contamination in this case. This is why species should not be mixed. This one I may keep here.
As an update on previous rehabs, Lily, the box turtle that came in only eating tuna and tomato was adopted out but ended up coming back to us with a small lump by her tail and a red mark on her plastron. It was superficial and was gone within a few days being in her habitat here. I think the lump that was seen was just part of her anatomy. No treatment other than being left alone to be a turtle. She eats anything and everything that is put in front of her. I have yet to see her turn her nose up at any food given to her. I swear I think this turtle would eat spagetti if given the chance. LOL She sees me and comes running. Such a nice turtle. I’ll be looking for another home for her in the spring.
The NA Wood turtle that came in after being found HBC (hit by a car) is still here. Moving her legs, but not walking on them. Only ate on her own once, a strawberry, that I saw so each day she is fed by hand to be sure she’s eating. I wonder if she’s conning me.
The Eastern box turtle that lost the front of his carapace from being HBC is doing great. He’s adapted well and has healed up nicely. Still not sure what I’ll do with his shell yet. Thought about creating a prosthetic shell, but not sure if it will be necessary now.
The itty bitty Eastern box turtle is also doing great. That little bugger cracks me up. So secretive those box turtles, especially as hatchlings. I have a camera on that one so I can see him out and about, but I never see him out when I’m downstairs in the basement where all the set ups are. He’s always hiding when I’m down there. I’ll have to post new photos of him next to a butterworm so you can see how much he’s grown. He will definitely be released come spring.
Phil the Ornate has grown so much over the past couple of years and is the most ornery turtle around. If there’s such a thing as a turtle being a bully, he would be it. If he sees another turtle eating a bug or worm he wants, he has no qualms about grabbing it right from their mouth. Fiesty little fellow he is.
Scooter of course is as arrogant as ever. Holds her head up high and has no idea how mis-shapen her shell is. She struts her stuff as if she’s the most beautiful turtle in the world, and to me she is. Skeeter has grown a little this past year. Not much, but enough to make me feel there’s hope for her to live a good life. She even uses her back legs much more than she used to. Not all the time, but much more often, so one of these days maybe we’ll see her using them regularly.
Photos of most of these turtles/torts can be seen in our Photo Gallery in the Rescue Album: http://www.turtlerescues.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1272
http://www.turtlerescues.org/