Author Topic: Terrapin found, need some advice  (Read 618 times)

Offline Tyrannis

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Terrapin found, need some advice
« on: September 22, 2011, 07:58:47 AM »
Walked outside today on a trip to the gas station, and what do i run into? a terrapin. Just sitting in the middle of the road. Poor thing almost got hit by a car when i found him.


Took him in right now, it looks pretty beat up. its got sections of its shell's frill missing, but he's not shy (Been nipping at me all morning  :lol)

But what i cant understand is, why would a terrapin be around MY house. the only large body of water is miles away. And we only have a very tiny creek that runs through town.

So anyone got some good advice as to where i should release him?  

Im a little nervous tho, Hes not shy at all around me. Which makes me think he may of been a pet. which in that case would it be wise to release him into the wild?
« Last Edit: September 22, 2011, 08:25:06 AM by Tyrannis »

Offline Westy

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Offline Dragon

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2011, 08:44:38 AM »
Even if it was someones pet, turtles adapt very quickly and it would be fine to let it go.


Near the water would be best, but if not, the turtle will find it and get ready to hunker down for the winter.
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Offline Wildcat1

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2011, 09:50:07 AM »
Soup

http://www.msa.md.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/002200/002292/html/terrapinsoup.html
:rofl  :aok

I would take it to the water (near it, not on it)

Maybe he's being defensive, that's why he's nipping at you. I'm not the turtle guy tho so I wouldn't know
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Offline Vudu15

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2011, 11:06:13 AM »
Forget that, kill that thing.... all they do is eat fish and baby ducks. aint worth anything. I kill em every chance I get.
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Offline Big Rat

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2011, 11:28:21 AM »
Drop him off at a pond by your house, he'll figure out the rest.  Don't keep him too long, as other mentioned it's about time for them to hunker down for the winter.

 :salute
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Offline Maverick

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2011, 11:37:00 AM »
Look up what kind of turtle you have and if it is native to your area. If it is then turn him loose near water and let him do his thing. If it is a non native species, talk to game and fish about it. There are enough problems with non native critters spoiling the normal balance of the indigenous stuff.
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Offline oboe

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2011, 05:29:11 PM »
Forget that, kill that thing.... all they do is eat fish and baby ducks. aint worth anything. I kill em every chance I get.

Vudu pretty sure you are thinking of a Snapping Turtle, not a Terrapin.

Offline Melvin

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2011, 05:33:09 PM »
Look up what kind of turtle you have and if it is native to your area. If it is then turn him loose near water and let him do his thing. If it is a non native species, talk to game and fish about it. There are enough problems with non native critters spoiling the normal balance of the indigenous stuff.


This ^^^

Turtles are known to carry many bacteria, including salmonella.
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Offline Ardy123

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2011, 05:39:47 PM »
I have a pet turtle and once they get used to you, they can be a bit nicer. give him some food (berries, lettuce, meal worms) and let his shell heal. Otherwise you could be setting him up for being a predators dinner. Also see if there are any experienced reptile oriented pet stores in your area, they could offer some suggestions on helping the poor guy before you let him free again.

Turtles are known to carry many bacteria, including salmonella.

Wash your hands after handling the turtle, always
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Offline F22RaptorDude

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2011, 05:57:18 PM »
... to many dead turtles on images, I almost killed one thinking it could swim, chucked em into my pool, Dove in 15 mins later to save it and it lived
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Offline Melvin

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2011, 05:59:46 PM »
I found the vid of raptordude...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y
See Rule #4

Offline M0nkey_Man

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Offline mbailey

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Re: Terrapin found, need some advice
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2011, 06:03:40 PM »
Just a tune to play while your walking him to the pond, he'll feel right at home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k77EE3a7DUg&feature=related

Accidentialy hit a box turtle with my brush hog this past summer, banged up and cracked his shell pretty good.  Feeling a tad guilty, I took him to a "reptile rescue" a little ways from my house, they nursed him back to health, and fixed his shell with Bondo, cost me a couple of bucks for a donation, but what the heck.    

Sounds nuts i know, but felt bad for the little bugger, just walking along doing his turtle stuff, and all of a sudden WHAM!! caught in the blades of a friggin brushog........
« Last Edit: September 22, 2011, 07:52:38 PM by mbailey »
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Offline M0nkey_Man

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