Hubby found a baby turtle at work covered in Polymer. He cleaned it off and brought it home to show our 4 yr old son. We thought we might try to keep it as a pet. Its only about the size of a quarter, and hubby says it's a box turtle. I've never owned a turtle, only snakes and an Iguana. Need some advice. 1st is should we really be keeping it or will it be better off if we put it out in the woods?

We set it up in a cage. Water, food, wood chips etc. I take him out every day and set him in a large shallow pan, slightly tilted, with a small amount of water that pools at the lower end. I put in some food. I just need to see how he's doing, because when he's in the cage, he burrows under all the vegitation. So far I have observed him eating and drinking. He is pretty active when I put him in the pan.

Anyone ever cared for a turtle before????

I sent a PM'er to Inkpen.

I'm not supposed to butt into other people's business, but I'd let him go.

I'm not supposed to butt into other people's business, but I'd let him go.

That's what I'm looking for. A little advice. Keep him? Let him go? Turn him over to a rescue service?

Either way. I'm glad hubby saved him and we got him cleaned up.

Hubby found a baby turtle at work covered in Polymer. He cleaned it off and brought it home to show our 4 yr old son. We thought we might try to keep it as a pet. Its only about the size of a quarter, and hubby says it's a box turtle. I've never owned a turtle, only snakes and an Iguana. Need some advice. 1st is should we really be keeping it or will it be better off if we put it out in the woods?

We set it up in a cage. Water, food, wood chips etc. I take him out every day and set him in a large shallow pan, slightly tilted, with a small amount of water that pools at the lower end. I put in some food. I just need to see how he's doing, because when he's in the cage, he burrows under all the vegitation. So far I have observed him eating and drinking. He is pretty active when I put him in the pan.

Anyone ever cared for a turtle before????

We've had turtles, my husband kept picking up the ones that were crossing the road and bringing them home. 3 three females layed eggs in our yard. I do know the babies eat more meat than the adults, mine liked worms (not too many) and the japaneze beetles sp? tomatos and fruit. When it starts getting cold out you should let him/her hybernate, let the tank get cooler and the lighting should follow the lighting outside. Only a few websites we found about baby turtles, not a whole lot is known. I just recently let my babies go to be wild again.

Hubby found a baby turtle at work covered in Polymer. He cleaned it off and brought it home to show our 4 yr old son. We thought we might try to keep it as a pet. Its only about the size of a quarter, and hubby says it's a box turtle. I've never owned a turtle, only snakes and an Iguana. Need some advice. 1st is should we really be keeping it or will it be better off if we put it out in the woods?

We set it up in a cage. Water, food, wood chips etc. I take him out every day and set him in a large shallow pan, slightly tilted, with a small amount of water that pools at the lower end. I put in some food. I just need to see how he's doing, because when he's in the cage, he burrows under all the vegitation. So far I have observed him eating and drinking. He is pretty active when I put him in the pan.

Anyone ever cared for a turtle before????
If you want to keep him, be aware that turtles have a VERY VERY LONG lifespan. Once you domesticate him, he can't be released. You could do what a buddy of mine did as a yute. Put the turtle outside and build a large frame around it (in excess of 8' to a side) where the turtle can be "free" but provide it with natural food (worms) in a single location. It will still have the benefits of being "free" but will come to expect to find food in that location, but will also know to go other places to find food. He did tht with a turtle one year and it came back every year for atleast 5 years. After the first year, he did not put the frame around it.

A family in California (I think) had a turtle that took up residence under a shrub. They would feed it. This went on for like 10 years. When they sold the house, taking care of the turtle was a rider on the contract.

You could also give the turtle to me. I'd like to show it to my kids, and take it to a cub scout meeting to show off, and then release it in the woods behind my house.

A couple things to note.

Box turtles when hatched are not nursed or cared for by anybody. So, if you were to release it, its not like it would be condemned to death without the care of its mother.

If you DO decide to release it, have your husband put it back close to where he found it. If you don't it can have detrimental effects on the turtle because it will spend a lot of time trying to find its way "home". Turtles usually try and stay very close to where they were born, so that they can have almost guarunteed mates.

Box turtles average life is 40 YEARS, some have lived to be over 100. IF you do commit to having this as a pet, understand you are commiting to something for that long. If you are NOT commited for something that long....release it now.

But, they do make fun pets, and they are always fun to watch scurry around. When I was younger we had 4 that we kept in a chicken wired fence in my back yard. We built a small pond and put in sme nice foliage. They do require a decent amount of space when they get larger. You have reptiles already, so I am sure you are aware of all that goes into caring for pets.

Choice is yours, I loved the ones I had when I was younger.

Get a dog, they sound easier to care for.

Hubby found a baby turtle at work covered in Polymer. He cleaned it off and brought it home to show our 4 yr old son. We thought we might try to keep it as a pet. Its only about the size of a quarter, and hubby says it's a box turtle. I've never owned a turtle, only snakes and an Iguana. Need some advice. 1st is should we really be keeping it or will it be better off if we put it out in the woods?

We set it up in a cage. Water, food, wood chips etc. I take him out every day and set him in a large shallow pan, slightly tilted, with a small amount of water that pools at the lower end. I put in some food. I just need to see how he's doing, because when he's in the cage, he burrows under all the vegitation. So far I have observed him eating and drinking. He is pretty active when I put him in the pan.

Anyone ever cared for a turtle before????

Have you looked it up on the internet to make sure its a box turtle? Are you sure its a box turtle? Because we have a lot of different species of turtes here. Can you post a pic of the turtle? :popcorn:

Have you looked it up on the internet to make sure its a box turtle? Are you sure its a box turtle? Because we have a lot of different species of turtes here. Can you post a pic of the turtle? :popcorn:

I've only come across numerous box turtles and one very large snapping turtle(St. Mary's City)....

what other species are there around here???????

I'm not real sure about all the land turtles, but there are also the red eared sliders that live in area waters. I am just curious if she got her hands on a slider because she said he was more active in the water. :shrug:

Okay, I'm not very good with the camera. The flash made him a bright blur, so I turned it off. I didn't want to traumatize him too much, so I just snapped a few.

Okay, I'm not very good with the camera. The flash made him a bright blur, so I turned it off. I didn't want to traumatize him too much, so I just snapped a few.


Can't tell much cause when I click on the pic it is so tiny. It looks more like a water turtle to me. See if you put a swimming area in his cage and see if he stays in the water. Also, check his little feet for webbings, if he has webbed feet he is definitely a water turtle. He would be best kept in a pond or a large body of water with fish and such. Good Luck and let me know if he has webbed feet. I'm very curious! :huggy:

I've only come across numerous box turtles and one very large snapping turtle(St. Mary's City)....

what other species are there around here???????

You can check on DNR's website. They have a list of all reptiles in MD.

Just a note as to keeping or releasing: In addition to being a bad idea, it is illegal in MD to release them back into the wild if kept for more than 30 days.

As to the long life span, that's pretty standard for herps.

Awww. I say keep him since you've already had him for a little while. I :love: turtles and I think he's adorable. I'd be real curious as well to know if his feet are webbed.

Awww. I say keep him since you've already had him for a little while. I :love: turtles and I think he's adorable. I'd be real curious as well to know if his feet are webbed.

His feet are webbed. Now I have to figure what kind of turtle it is. Hubby said it was a box turtle, tonight he said maybe it's a snapper??

His feet are webbed. Now I have to figure what kind of turtle it is. Hubby said it was a box turtle, tonight he said maybe it's a snapper??

does not look like a box or a snapper..snappers have long long tails..boxs have yellow markingings on their shell...can you post a HUGE picture of him that we can see??

His feet are webbed. Now I have to figure what kind of turtle it is. Hubby said it was a box turtle, tonight he said maybe it's a snapper??


Its a baby red eared slider! It needs water to live. You need to either release it back into the body of water that is near where your hubby works, or you need to provide it with a good setup. Check the internet to get ideas on what you need. Please hurry in getting what he needs. He needs special diet as he is a worm, fish, basically a meat eater. Hope this helps! :howdy:

Its a baby red eared slider! It needs water to live. You need to either release it back into the body of water that is near where your hubby works, or you need to provide it with a good setup. Check the internet to get ideas on what you need. Please hurry in getting what he needs. He needs special diet as he is a worm, fish, basically a meat eater. Hope this helps! :howdy:

I dont think it is a slider...its body is too tall..sliders are shorter bodied...give me a good pic I will tell you what it is..

A red earred slider had red ears on the side of the head does he? They are also greenish not brown..let me get some pics..

Baby box

I dont think it is a slider...its body is too tall..sliders are shorter bodied...give me a good pic I will tell you what it is..

A red earred slider had red ears on the side of the head does he? They are also greenish not brown..let me get some pics..


Ok my bad, they look so much alike, it is a Eastern Painted Turtle. I found this pic of one on a log.

Baby slider

Ok my bad, they look so much alike, it is a Eastern Painted Turtle. I found this pic of one on a log.



We need to see better pics of hers..his shell looks taller then that..more rounded..like a land turtle not a water turtle..


Where did you find him...

Baby eastern

Baby eastern

I also found this one, its called a mud turtle. It is also native to MD.

This is hers..Maybe a terrapin?

This is hers..Maybe a terrapin?


:roflmao: We will find it eventually, this is a musk turtle.

THATS it..bet he is a musk...look at the shape of the shell..more rounded..

THATS it..bet he is a musk...look at the shape of the shell..more rounded..


Yeah that's what I'm thinkin'. I was confused about the turtles looking so much like sliders though. I always thought they were sliders. :shrug:

Its a baby red eared slider! It needs water to live. You need to either release it back into the body of water that is near where your hubby works, or you need to provide it with a good setup. Check the internet to get ideas on what you need. Please hurry in getting what he needs. He needs special diet as he is a worm, fish, basically a meat eater. Hope this helps! :howdy:


Please release it back where you hubby found it.....
It is not a pet...
Want a pet turtle..go buy one at PetCo.....

Thank you.....

Please release it back where you hubby found it.....
It is not a pet...
Want a pet turtle..go buy one at PetCo.....

Thank you.....


Um, its not me with the turtle. :shrug:

We need to see better pics of hers..his shell looks taller then that..more rounded..like a land turtle not a water turtle..


Where did you find him...

Hubby found him at the METCOM building near gate 3 at PAX

:roflmao: We will find it eventually, this is a musk turtle.

This really looks like the closest picture to me. A co-worker suggested that I take it over to the Marine Museaum (sp).

This really looks like the closest picture to me. A co-worker suggested that I take it over to the Marine Museaum (sp).

Marine museum?? They dont have turtles..they do have an aquatic area. but do not rescue turtles.
Put it back where it was found..Please....

Hubby found him at the METCOM building near gate 3 at PAX

I would not put it back there it would get killed for sure...

Keep it as a pet =] Or, you can give it to me. I love turtles :howdy: :howdy:

I had a red eared slider (i think), and his name was Squirt.. He lived in a 10 gallon tank for his beginning of life, than i transfered him into a water trouff outside.. He loved it.. Squirt had an accident & died.. But i did take very good care of him..

I think the most important thing is to find out what kind of turtle he is and decide if you want to put forth the effort and commitment to care for it for a VERY long time.

I keep a rescued Eastern Painted Turtle that I've had for about 8 years now. I love her! She lives in water with dry areas. She only eats under water. Water turtles are dirty, especially mud and musk turtles. If you keep one, you have to have a great filtration system. There's lots of info on the internet. Some of it is actually helpful and true!

I wouln't want to release your baby. There are so many things that eat baby turtles! (Including bigger turtles).

Good luck!

Please release it back where you hubby found it.....
It is not a pet...
Want a pet turtle..go buy one at PetCo.....

Thank you.....

I wouldn't buy a herp from PetCo, even as a last resort.

I think the most important thing is to find out what kind of turtle he is and decide if you want to put forth the effort and commitment to care for it for a VERY long time.

I keep a rescued Eastern Painted Turtle that I've had for about 8 years now. I love her! She lives in water with dry areas. She only eats under water. Water turtles are dirty, especially mud and musk turtles. If you keep one, you have to have a great filtration system. There's lots of info on the internet. Some of it is actually helpful and true!

I wouln't want to release your baby. There are so many things that eat baby turtles! (Including bigger turtles).

Good luck!

OK People....Please understand this fact: It is illegal to keep wild animals as pets. PERIOD.
Unless you have a permit from Department of Natural Resourses, MD to keep it, rehab it, show it, you can not keep it as a pet.

Every wild animal has its own needs and own diet that nature provides a heck of a lot better than you can.

Keeping a wild animal captive, preventing it from being able to live in the wild and to reproduce is cruel.

There are quite a few folks here who will slam me with red...and they will say keep it, raise it.

There are others too who keep what they find because they think they have a right to, or it is cool or that they think they can raise it and make a pet and impress friends.

If you are going to steal, kidnap wildlife..dont advertise the fact, dont post it here, and ask forgiveness after it dies a prisioner of your ego.

Wildlife is wild,....leave it there or get it to a licensed wildlife rehabber.

We are here and are trained to properly care for, rehab with the goal to release all wildife in Maryland.

So quit telling this gal to keep it as a pet, to do this or do that...and Paso...if the turtle had not been taken, nature would have taken its course..
and if being eaten by another animal is that outcome, then the turtle has fullfilled one of its purposes..to be part of the food chain.


Either turn it loose or turn it over to a rehabber before more damage is done to this turtle.

Thank you.....
A licensed Wildlife Rehabber advocating on behalf of all wildlife.

There is a cricket in my laundry room. Can you please come and get it?

There is a cricket in my laundry room. Can you please come and get it?

Wise up...I am in no mood for people like you who dont want to help..but who have nothing better to do than make crass jokes.

Got a cricket? Pick it up and toss it outside..or eat it with butter ..you are an adult..make an adult choice and deal with it.

To my karma giver...Native wild turtles (native to Maryland) can not be kept as pets.

What you buy at the store..fine...but not native Maryland turtles.
Dont believe me? Call DNR in Annapolis and ask them ....

OK People....Please understand this fact: It is illegal to keep wild animals as pets. PERIOD.
Unless you have a permit from Department of Natural Resourses, MD to keep it, rehab it, show it, you can not keep it as a pet.

Every wild animal has its own needs and own diet that nature provides a heck of a lot better than you can.

Keeping a wild animal captive, preventing it from being able to live in the wild and to reproduce is cruel.

There are quite a few folks here who will slam me with red...and they will say keep it, raise it.

There are others too who keep what they find because they think they have a right to, or it is cool or that they think they can raise it and make a pet and impress friends.

If you are going to steal, kidnap wildlife..dont advertise the fact, dont post it here, and ask forgiveness after it dies a prisioner of your ego.

Wildlife is wild,....leave it there or get it to a licensed wildlife rehabber.

We are here and are trained to properly care for, rehab with the goal to release all wildife in Maryland.

So quit telling this gal to keep it as a pet, to do this or do that...and Paso...if the turtle had not been taken, nature would have taken its course..
and if being eaten by another animal is that outcome, then the turtle has fullfilled one of its purposes..to be part of the food chain.


Either turn it loose or turn it over to a rehabber before more damage is done to this turtle.

Thank you.....
A licensed Wildlife Rehabber advocating on behalf of all wildlife.OK, this post made me change my mind. Kill it and make a hair dohickey outta the shell.

OK People....Please understand this fact: It is illegal to keep wild animals as pets. PERIOD.


That's not entirely true, otherwise the "turtle races" would be illegal. Yes, I have looked it up. You can possess 1 of the following without a permit, though other than that, if it's native to MD, you're right, it is illegal:

Wood Turtle
Spotted Turtle
Eastern Box Turtle

For the full disclosure, including the minimum size requirement here's the link: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/captive.asp

I don't care how you feel. Live and let live- tree hugger or otherwise. But if you're going to give information, especially something that can be easily researched, make sure it's right or at least add a simple "IIRC."

*Disclaimer* The above is in reference to turtles only since this is a turtle thread; eventhough Ink posted about ALL animals. The link does provide for information on other herps. I don't know what the law is for other animals, nor am I going to pretend to. I'm sure it should be relatively easy to find.

Those DNR bastards would not come and get a squirrel out of my house.

Those DNR bastards would not come and get a squirrel out of my house.

They WOULD if you put it in a cage and called it your "pet" :whistle:

http://www.turtlesale.com/home/

Ha, this link was at the top of the page.... Advertisment.. I would like a caramel one. They are cuties

Advertisment.. I would like a caramel one. They are cuties

I read that at first to say "Camel toe" :killingme

I read that at first to say "Camel toe" :killingme


:smack: Now I am singing the camel toe song..

:smack: Now I am singing the camel toe song..


:roflmao:

HaHa!!!

I dont want a camel toe as a pet, i would like a CARAMEL turtle.. Look, they are cute.. Also the pink bellied sliders are cuties too!

:smack: Now I am singing the camel toe song..


OMG! Speaking of camel toes! There was an older woman, in her 50's I'd say, at Panera walking around in jersey nit type material capri's yesterday. She had a camel toe from HELL and would not quit walking back and forth next to my table! I thought I was going to :barf: up my wonderfully delicious sandwich! :jameo:

OMG! Speaking of camel toes! There was an older woman, in her 50's I'd say, at Panera walking around in jersey nit type material capri's yesterday. She had a camel toe from HELL and would not quit walking back and forth next to my table! I thought I was going to :barf: up my wonderfully delicious sandwich! :jameo:


Wish i could tell you who it was, my mom did not go to Panera yesterday! lol :lmao:

Wish i could tell you who it was, my mom did not go to Panera yesterday! lol :lmao:

:frown:

You know your laughing.. Because i am! lol :killingme

That's not entirely true, otherwise the "turtle races" would be illegal. Yes, I have looked it up. You can possess 1 of the following without a permit, though other than that, if it's native to MD, you're right, it is illegal:

Wood Turtle
Spotted Turtle
Eastern Box Turtle

For the full disclosure, including the minimum size requirement here's the link: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/captive.asp

I don't care how you feel. Live and let live- tree hugger or otherwise. But if you're going to give information, especially something that can be easily researched, make sure it's right or at least add a simple "IIRC."

*Disclaimer* The above is in reference to turtles only since this is a turtle thread; eventhough Ink posted about ALL animals. The link does provide for information on other herps. I don't know what the law is for other animals, nor am I going to pretend to. I'm sure it should be relatively easy to find.

WOW! You'd think a wildlife rehaber would know that. . . . :whistle:

WOW! You'd think a wildlife rehaber would know that. . . . :whistle:
:yeahthat: and he/she/it called me ignorant....:whistle: I really dislike the holier than thou types.

:yeahthat: and he/she/it called me ignorant....:whistle: I really dislike the holier than thou types.
I just got called mean in my krama. :bawl: I'm so crushed. :meamies:

Hubnter, with a groundhog avatar, Why are you so mean to me and make a joke out of a serious post? Why do you hate wildlife so much and make my job so hard? Please be a bit more supportive. Signed: Inkpen
The groundhog in the picture is dead.
I love wildlife.
A good day in the woods is watching lots of wildlife.
A great day in the woods is taking some of the wildlife home with you for dinner.
Some of my best days of hunting I have not shot anything.
I am not mean to you.
I totally respect what you do.
However, your holier than thou attitude annoys the bejeezus outta me.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Inkpen again.
I would if I could, but I can't, so I won't.

OK People....Please understand this fact: It is illegal to keep wild animals as pets. PERIOD.
Unless you have a permit from Department of Natural Resourses, MD to keep it, rehab it, show it, you can not keep it as a pet.

Every wild animal has its own needs and own diet that nature provides a heck of a lot better than you can.

Keeping a wild animal captive, preventing it from being able to live in the wild and to reproduce is cruel.

There are quite a few folks here who will slam me with red...and they will say keep it, raise it.

There are others too who keep what they find because they think they have a right to, or it is cool or that they think they can raise it and make a pet and impress friends.

If you are going to steal, kidnap wildlife..dont advertise the fact, dont post it here, and ask forgiveness after it dies a prisioner of your ego.

Wildlife is wild,....leave it there or get it to a licensed wildlife rehabber.

We are here and are trained to properly care for, rehab with the goal to release all wildife in Maryland.

So quit telling this gal to keep it as a pet, to do this or do that...and Paso...if the turtle had not been taken, nature would have taken its course..
and if being eaten by another animal is that outcome, then the turtle has fullfilled one of its purposes..to be part of the food chain.


Either turn it loose or turn it over to a rehabber before more damage is done to this turtle.

Thank you.....
A licensed Wildlife Rehabber advocating on behalf of all wildlife.

It's a friggin turtle, get over it already..

Wise up...I am in no mood for people like you who dont want to help..but who have nothing better to do than make crass jokes.

Got a cricket? Pick it up and toss it outside..or eat it with butter ..you are an adult..make an adult choice and deal with it.

ya Pete, no mood.

It's a friggin turtle, get over it already..
:yeahthat:

http://photos.imageevent.com/dborzi/forumpix/huge/turtle1.jpg



:confused:

http://photos.imageevent.com/dborzi/forumpix/huge/turtle1.jpg



:confused:


Chesapeake Bay Terripin

Looks like a Box Turtle :yay:
Lesson for the day-
In MD, 19 species of turtles find homes in small ponds, non-tidal and tidal wetlands, woodlands, streams, rivers and bogs. Actually there are 3 groups of turtles in Maryland:

True turtles, which spend some or all of their time in water
Tortoises that live on land
Terrapins which are limited to Maryland's tidal marshes and waters.

Chesapeake Bay Terripin


:yay: Thanks..........

Wow! I haven't been back here since I posted about my turtle...
Looks like someone might have sand in their panties!

What ever happened to the little baby turtle?

DNR does ask that all turtles caught for the turtle races be returned to the location (or within a 1 mile radius) in which you found them within 30 days of capture. All turtles had to be 4" in length. In the future, turtle races may be illegal in Maryland. At the turtle race in Leonardtown this summer it was announced that this may be the last year. The turtle population is on the decline.



That's not entirely true, otherwise the "turtle races" would be illegal. Yes, I have looked it up. You can possess 1 of the following without a permit, though other than that, if it's native to MD, you're right, it is illegal:

Wood Turtle
Spotted Turtle
Eastern Box Turtle

For the full disclosure, including the minimum size requirement here's the link: Captive Reptile & Amphibian Permit/License - Wildlife & Plant Permits- Wildlife & Heritage Service (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/captive.asp)

I don't care how you feel. Live and let live- tree hugger or otherwise. But if you're going to give information, especially something that can be easily researched, make sure it's right or at least add a simple "IIRC."

*Disclaimer* The above is in reference to turtles only since this is a turtle thread; eventhough Ink posted about ALL animals. The link does provide for information on other herps. I don't know what the law is for other animals, nor am I going to pretend to. I'm sure it should be relatively easy to find.

DNR does ask that all turtles caught for the turtle races be returned to the location (or within a 1 mile radius) in which you found them within 30 days of capture. All turtles had to be 4" in length. In the future, turtle races may be illegal in Maryland. At the turtle race in Leonardtown this summer it was announced that this may be the last year. The turtle population is on the decline.

The regs don't suprise me. Anything kept over 30 days may not be released back into the wild.

I'll have to post a few pics one of these days. I have a box turtle living in my front yard. I have no idea how it survived to get there, it's surrounded by roads and there isn't really much wooded areas for quite a ways.

The regs don't suprise me. Anything kept over 30 days may not be released back into the wild.

I'll have to post a few pics one of these days. I have a box turtle living in my front yard. I have no idea how it survived to get there, it's surrounded by roads and there isn't really much wooded areas for quite a ways.

Would you say your turtle is about the size of a coconut??

He was probably dropped by an African Swallow...

That's what I'm looking for. A little advice. Keep him? Let him go? Turn him over to a rescue service?

Either way. I'm glad hubby saved him and we got him cleaned up.

:yahoo: Glad you saved the turtle. But my vote is to let him go! :buddies:

Update on turtle....

Released him back into a pond right near where he was found. He swam away quite happy. Decided to let nature take it's course. Turtles live for a long time and I wasn't really looking for the commitment they require. He was fun to have for the few days we had him. :buddies:

Update on turtle....

Released him back into a pond right near where he was found. He swam away quite happy. Decided to let nature take it's course. Turtles live for a long time and I wasn't really looking for the commitment they require. He was fun to have for the few days we had him. :buddies:

He probably drowned and :dead: He did not look like a water turtle..:whistle:

Well, when we had him, we put him in an aquarium with some water, and he stayed in the water all the time, rather than in the dry part. It's not like we chucked him out in to the center of the pond! :lmao:

So we chucked him out in to the center of the pond! :lmao:

:sinkinglikearock: :huggy: RIP