our dog found a turtle we think its a paint we let it go but the dog keeps bring it back she chewed up the edges of its shell but it still seems to be doing ok what should we feed it? we want to take it to a pond and let it go again but want to make sure its going to heal its shell first.
2007-06-12 08:14:46 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
The shell will heal without your help. Unless it is bleeding, you should let it go. If it is bleeding, take it to a rescue centre.
Turtles are resilient creatures and are very tough.
I suspect your dog picked it up while it was on land. My concern is that it is a female painted turtle coming on land to lay eggs. I would definitely release her and let her do her business. A little shell damage is not a problem and being eggbound is much more serious.
If it is not bleeding let her gonear where you found her. If the shell is bleeding, bring it to a nature rescue centre.
2007-06-12 08:35:41 · answer #1 · answered by wu_gwei21 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It would be best to release the turtle back into the wild. Removing an animal from the wild erases all genetic material that it can provide for the population. In other words, it would be like killing a member of that population. I know it doesn't sound pretty, but its the truth. Besides, many animal populations are declining due to being taken from the wild and raised as pets. It would be best to buy a captive bred turtle in a pet store or reptile show.
2016-04-01 03:54:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you do have to return it to the wild habitat. There are many reasons that I'm not getting into right now but here are a list of things you need for it to restore to its full health(depends how long your keeping it) but once you get all these I would consider getting one because their really awesome pets and why waste the money. They will need a heating lamp to bask in. Since you think its a painter than you would need at least a 50 gallon tank and fill it with water( not all the way to the rim otherwise it might be able to get out0 around 2 inches below rim is good. make sure there is land though to bask on and sleep on. It should also have a small cavern type thing to make a home and good burrowing dirt to dig in. Then you want to research aquatic plants and buy them. Once you do plant it at the bottom of the cage. They eat them and enjoy them. They will eat worms,wax worms,meal worms,lettuce,carrots,cherries,banana,watermelon,and insects.Make sure it's a painter though before you follow any directions from anyone. Hope this helps.Good luck. :)
2007-06-12 11:23:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 8 box turtles and I feed them cantaloupe, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, spinach, earthworms (bought from the bait shack), canned dog/cat food, sweet potatoes, strawberries. Are the wounds on the shell into the shell itself or is it just some chips off of the edge? If it is just chips on the edge you should be able to relocate the turtle to the pond. If they are deep wounds into the shell itself unfortunately the turtle should be taken to a vet before releasing it in the wild or better yet maybe you could locate a rehabilitator that would take the turtle in and take care of it.
2007-06-12 08:23:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
First, DO NOT FEED IT LETTUCE>>>>WHATEVER YOU DO...PLEASE NO LETTUCE.....!!! NONE
Second....Thank You...It is great that you took the time to email and ask for help....and to try to help the turtle instead of just placing it back into the water....etc...... you are to be commended for doing what you are doing....we need more people like you...
Third, here is what I would do....I would check around your area for a turtle rescue group/turtle reserve and then I would take the turtle to them... (ASAP) They have the resources to get the turtle checked out to be sure it is okay before being released back into the wild....You don't want to release it before knowing if it is okay....and if it is just the shell, it might be okay, but there could be damage that you cannot see.
Or you can take it to a Reptile Vet that will also check it out and then you will know if it is okay to be released to the wild.
One more idea would be to call a Reptile Vet and ask him if he knows someone in the area that rescues turtles and releases them??? I work with someone who does that and even the zoos and SPCA call her....She just did a great training to the public last Sunday all about aquatic turtles.....
I had rescued 2 different Large Soft Shell Turtles, 2 Mud Turtles, 1 Large Red Ear Slider and 3 Baby RES....I took all of them to her to help others see what they look like and then she took them to check them out and she is going to release them back into the wild where they belong.... Where do you live??
You can reach me at Carolynlsp@yahoo.com if you have any questions and I can even get you in touch with this person...she can help you...
Dogs are a major problem for turtles even though they don't know any better....It can do a lot of damage to the legs and areas that cannot be protected...I know as I had a dog kill a hatchling....all by accident...
Check the internet for what to feed them. When they are young they are carnivorus and eat mostly maggots, larvae, and bettles...as they become older they become ominvorous and they eat snails, insects,crayfish,leeches, tadpoles, and any small fish, worms, bugs and different types of plants......you can feed it turtle pellets, (from pet stores) but it would be best to get it checked out and released ASAP instead of investing in them..good luck and I hope I helped.
Carolyn
2007-06-12 09:20:32 · answer #5 · answered by carolynlsp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take it to a wildlife rehabilitator or a nature center-- they can heal the turtle and make sure it is well before putting it back-- hopefully in a pond that is NOT near dogs.
2007-06-12 08:20:16 · answer #6 · answered by aattura 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First, let the turtle go. The shell will heal.
Second, why do people on this forum always think that turtles eat fricking lettuce?
Where does that come from?
Turtles don't eat fricking lettuce!
Got it?
2007-06-12 15:48:28 · answer #7 · answered by markwedloe 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok. They like lettuce... But the best thing is... to let it go.. Trust me. It will probally die either way, but will probbally survive longer in the wild instead of human hands. I know it might be hard to part with it... In memory of our beloved Bob(my wild turtle ): )
2007-06-12 08:20:11 · answer #8 · answered by lalabo456 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Feed it lettuce, cabbage, other veggies. If it is just the shell edges, the turtle should be fine to be released. If you have concerns, take it to a vet.
2007-06-12 08:21:00 · answer #9 · answered by magix151 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i would take it to the pond now...the longer you have it the more screwed up it will be....and stressed.
2007-06-12 10:47:23 · answer #10 · answered by mups mom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋