I don't know how to take care of this turtle?

Question

One day when me and my sis were driving to school we saw a turtle in the middle of the road, so we picked it up. Our dad took it to a pet store and they said that it was a very old, fat woods turtle that lacked survival skills. We put it in an big plastic storage box with grass on the bottom that we change every 2 days, we feed it mostly beans which it always eats and an assortment of fruits and veggies. It seems to be a little depressed and it always buries under the grass we put in its box. also it has the words "DAN 5/20" - the date we found it, written on its seemingly eroding shell in nail polish. Is it better to just leave it on or to get if off with nail polish remover. I try to put vitashell on its shell because it looks pretty bad. Help please!

Answer 1

i would never trust a pet store employee who told you it was a very old, fat woods turtle that lacked survival skills.  what was the employee's credentials outside of the fact he/she had a minimum wage job?  none, i bet.  please take the turtle to a herp vet in your area to have it checked out.  I bet it can survive on its own just fine.

Answer 2

I can see that your heart is in the right place, although in order to let this animal live happily and with dignity, you will ultimately have to make some decisions.

If you do not know how to care for this creature, there are only two responsible solutions:

One, you could research this species. Learn what it needs, eats, etc. How long does it live? Does it need any special environmental needs besides a good, comfortable, exhibit/tank with proper UV lighting? Knowledge is your friend!

OR

Two, you could find out if some wildlife sanctuary/museum/etc. is willing to care for it. Keep in mind though, these types of places have requests for hundreds of unwanted animals every year, and they may not be able to take the animal.

As far as the label, as long as it it not causing him any noticeable discomfort, leave it alone.

Whatever your choice, remember:

THIS IS A LIVING CREATURE WITH FEELINGS, EMOTIONS, NEEDS, AND DESIRES. DO NOT DENY HIM WHAT HE DESERVES, WHICH IS A COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY LIFE.

Answer 3

If possible you should make a pen for it outside with metal or wooden fencing, and also include some sort of shelter that you could make out of wood or just use a plastic crate or dog house.  You should feed it live insects in addition to raw vegetables and fruit (they usually really enjoy strawberries).  You should do some research on them if you plan on keeping it, but it would be better to let it go.(I've kept them for a couple months or so before releasing them, but make sure you let it go after a while.)  People who work in pet stores don't necessarily know what they're talking about.  They don't have to have schooling about animals, and therefore can only give you information that they think is right.  If you're not sure about releasing it though, take it to the vet for a professional opinion.

To figure out what kind of turtle you have, try an images search engine(msn images, etc) and look for one that looks like yours.  Click on the picture and it should give you a name, then you can get more accurate information on the species.

http://groups.msn.com/TURTLELOVERANCH/po... (plants that are poisonous to turtles)

http://www.petturtlecare.net/index.html (lots of information on turtles as pets)

Also, don't use fingernail polish remover to try removing what was written on it, it's poisonous to a lot of animals.  Your best bet would probably be to just leave it alone until the turtle sheds the scales or it wears away.

Answer 4

Im pretty sure that this is an aquatic turtle.  if it is than it will be much happier in water filled an aquarium.  Aquatic turtles love eating crickets and mealworms.  If it isnt a water turtle than it still needs an aquarium.  it will be much happier with the right set-up.  since this turtle was someones pet previously i suggest either keeping it because it wont live in the wild or putting an ad in the paper about a found turtle. someone could have lost him.

Answer 5

leave the paint there...that was bad to do..

contact the fish and game dept of your state and get assistance that way or

Contact the “herpetologicalsocieties.com, for a turtle vet in your city and state for assistamce in caring also..

Answer 6

The reptile has been marked, and may be part of a wildlife study group.

So, if you live in the US it's prohibited by federal law to remove an animal from its native habit (these fines can be steep).

Next - turtles do NOT encounter beans in the wild.  BAD IDEA!  (No survival skills?  It wants to live, and is eating the only options set in front of it.)

Next - you have no idea how to care for the animal, and it should be turned loose near the area, but off the road, where you found it and ASAP.

Turtles do NOT understand pavement/cars, and that has NOTHING to do with survival skills.  They DO understand the road was between this patch of woods, and that patch, and it had to be crossed to get to other side!  They DO understand asphalt retains heat, and sadly mistake it as a nice basking perch.  Turtles DO cover a lot of distance (a box turtle can cover a territory of five miles in a day), and roads often get in their way/cross their path.

LET IT GO.

As for old?  It can live to see your grandkids, if given the chance!

Domestic turtles of ALL kinds are bred disease/parasite free in surplus of desire, and VERY affordable.  

Release that poor wild creature, and google for the turtle you'd like to have, now that you have seen they have personality, and can be a good pet (even if fed BEANS!).

God put that turtle in your path for a reason.  It might have been this lesson.

Let it go.

I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 7

ok caring for turtles is pretty easy a;though that story makes me feel really bad for the turtle ok well anyways stop feeding it beans and give it worms and crickets man do turtles love those aslo they are high in protine and veary good for it also take out the grass and reclace it with bark or woodchips that is pretty much it so have fun and save that turtles life