Wood Turtle Rescue...

[lostwithin]

Hi everyone, Well today I was at work and a guy I know pulled in and asked me too take a turtle off his hands. He told me he had almost hit it in his car. and didn’t want too leave it on the road. I agreed too take it in assuming it was another a banded RES. IT is not however it turned out too be a Wood turtle.

I have too say it is a Very attractive species, neon orange with a black head. It does however have some visible mouth rot and mucus in it’s mouth when it opens it( which I would assume is more mouth rot) I Plan too treat this mouth rot but this late in the season I am afraid the too do so will put it in my care for the winter. I also read they are quite rare so before re-releasing it I’ll spend the money too get it completely gone over by a vet and treated for any parasites. (no harm in giving a rare animal a little better health. I have too design a complete set up for it though this thing climbs like a monkey. I was amazed I put it down and turned my back for a second and it had climber over the couch and up the wall unto a small ledge. Most turtles hind under things but not this guy.

I did have a question though, any tips on sexing it. Normally I know with turtles the mail has a longer tail. I sex all my turtles this way Bit this fellow has no tail. The wound is completely healed and seems too be for a while ago. And would while on the topic would no tail affect its ability too breed?? I hope not Since I would hate too see a nice specimen like this with no chance of reproducing especially if the species is struggling.

Devon

[elfomatic]

I'm glad you are releasing it after you treat it. :)

Woods are great ... you might want to contact the guy who owns woodturtle.com. That is really the only good site I have ever seen on them and he seems very knowledgeable on the species.

[Turtle_Crazy]

whoa!

i wish we could have lots of turtles here in alberta. i think we might have western painteds but field herpers here don't see them anymore. im glad he found you and im sure he will have a great winter at your home! keep us updated and please post some pics of the guy!!!

P.S: my RES was found 2 weeks ago wandering, her tail got bitten pretty bad, but is still there!

Take care,

Nicole

[BoidKeeper]

Alain deGrasse in Saint John was working with the department of natural resources on a concervation project for wood turtles. They are protected in the province and their status in threatened. He or maybe Bernie Gallant at the Magnetic Hill Zoo might be able to help.
As far as paracites go, be careful not passing from your stuff on it and vice versa. While you have it you should practice a strict quarantine.
Cheers,
Trevor

[lostwithin]

Hi, I already have an e-mail on the way too Al, And as for quarantine I am keeping him several rooms away from my turtles he’s in my snake room, but will have no contact with them . I have been researching and discovered they are considered too be a very intelligent species and that they have great homing abilities so I will be sure too find out where the little guy was picked up too release him back where he belongs.

As for the tail I found an Internet source saying many turtles become victim too raccoons. Who although cannot get though there shell will, pull get a hold of limbs and tails too chew on.

Devon

[thunder]

yes, rhinoclemys (sp?) are very smart for turtles. and the loss of a tail will not affect its ability to breed, although there could have been other damage at the time that the tail was lost. i have a few wood turtles, but i didnt know their genders until i got babies. yay!

[BoidKeeper]

Good luck with it. Keep me posted I think they are awsome.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Ontario_herper]

The wood turtle can still be at risk of disease from your snakes. I would keep it in a completely seperate area of the house from any animals. In addititon, I would only go near the wood turtle when you have not come into any form of contact with your captive herps.

You really can't be too careful!