Eastern Box Turtle?
- Thread starter ralphie
- Start date
Justjoe
New member
Where did they get it from? If from the wild, read below:
From http://www.wnyherp.org/reptile-laws/New-York-DEC-FAQ.php
"What species are protected? Which are listed as endangered or threatened?
The box turtle (includes all species of the genus Terrapene), bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii), wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta) and frogs (any species of the genus Rana) are all protected as small game species. The definition of "small game" also includes all "land turtles" which has been interpreted as meaning all native turtles except the sea turtles. Therefore all native turtles are protected and require a permit to collect. Specific regulations are being prepared. "
From http://www.wnyherp.org/reptile-laws/New-York-DEC-FAQ.php
"What species are protected? Which are listed as endangered or threatened?
The box turtle (includes all species of the genus Terrapene), bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii), wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta) and frogs (any species of the genus Rana) are all protected as small game species. The definition of "small game" also includes all "land turtles" which has been interpreted as meaning all native turtles except the sea turtles. Therefore all native turtles are protected and require a permit to collect. Specific regulations are being prepared. "
Sounds like it was someone's pet.
I don't know the laws regarding turtles, or how much trouble this one could bring you down the pike, but what I would probably do is see if I'm capable of providing it with what it needs. If you are unable to give it a healthy diet, and suitable living quarters, legalities don't matter much, as it won't live long.
If you are able to adequately provide for it, may I suggest asking Joe if he has room for it at Atlantis, or if he knows of someplace that does.
If you are able to support it's needs, I strongly recommend that you investigate the legalities of posessing such an animal before deciding to keep it. I didn't follow Joe's link above, but from his post, I'm thinking that keeping this turtle could prove problematic for you.
eboonaman
In Memoriam
Ralph,
I kept at least 100 of them since I was a kid.
you can make a pen out of chicken wire go about 8 inches down. keep it in half shade/sun.
I use to have a fenced in back kyard and let them just roam around it during the summers and freed them in the fall. they tame pretty easy and will come out to be fed once they expect it.
in the end of summer Aug. you can let it go in a wooded park so they can find a place to hibernate.
they eat anything fruit, greens, cooked meat. earthworms, slugs. but they need a mixed diet to supply them with the proper vitamins. even though they get most of their water from the foods they eat I would supply them with water in a small pan. they do not live in water but might soak in it.
it is very important that you wash your hands before and after handling it . and you must keep the pen very clean.
As joe stated they are now protected. so what you do is your decision.. The Turtle police are everywhere..
good luck
I kept at least 100 of them since I was a kid.
you can make a pen out of chicken wire go about 8 inches down. keep it in half shade/sun.
I use to have a fenced in back kyard and let them just roam around it during the summers and freed them in the fall. they tame pretty easy and will come out to be fed once they expect it.
in the end of summer Aug. you can let it go in a wooded park so they can find a place to hibernate.
they eat anything fruit, greens, cooked meat. earthworms, slugs. but they need a mixed diet to supply them with the proper vitamins. even though they get most of their water from the foods they eat I would supply them with water in a small pan. they do not live in water but might soak in it.
it is very important that you wash your hands before and after handling it . and you must keep the pen very clean.
As joe stated they are now protected. so what you do is your decision.. The Turtle police are everywhere..
good luck
I'm sure its an eastern box turtle, not likely something somebody bought at a pet store that got loose. I'd say must be protected for a reason and get him back into the breeding population. You can make a nice day out of it with your kids. Find a large preserve that would make a good home and take your family for a hike and release him deep inside. after you put it down and take a few steps back you'll be surprised how easily you can loose track of him in the leaf litter.
Justjoe
New member
Its not uncommon to find them walking about LI, when I do come across them on the road, I'll stop and bring them to the side they were walking to and put them into the brush or woods. If there is too much traffic/ buildings, etc then we'll usually bring them to a wooded area/ preserve.
No room at the inn here, its an all too common occurence that public aquariums and zoos are thought of as dumping grounds for unwanted pets. Its amazing how many calls we get a week for pacu, sulcata tortoises, red tail cats, etc.
A funny story:
One time one of our volunteers found a box turtle, so he put it in his car in a cardboard box. He was off to a park near his house for a jog. While driving there, he then came to a stop sign, hit the breaks and his car wouldn't stop. The break pedal wouldn't go down. He looked down the box turtle got out of the box and wedged itself under the brake pedal (gratitude for ya', huh?).
Luckily, he got it out in time and was able to stop and got to the park safely. So off he went for his jog, and the spot he wanted to release it was several miles into the park, so he carried the turtle in his hand. While on his way, he passed an elderly couple and as he jogged by them he heard the old woman say to her husband:
"Why doesn't he just get a dog like everyone else?"
Joe
Update...
Update...
Here is the latest...
I convinced my kids it was in the best interest to release him in a park. So we left him alone outside last night in my fenced yard and today we can not find him. My oldest is very upset, and we have told all the neighboors to keep an eye out for him.
So, if we find him, we will keep him so my daughter can say good bye and then we plan on driving to a big park and release him..
Thanks for all the great info...
Ralph
Update...
Here is the latest...
I convinced my kids it was in the best interest to release him in a park. So we left him alone outside last night in my fenced yard and today we can not find him. My oldest is very upset, and we have told all the neighboors to keep an eye out for him.
So, if we find him, we will keep him so my daughter can say good bye and then we plan on driving to a big park and release him..
Thanks for all the great info...
Ralph
eboonaman
In Memoriam
if you want to really make a point about it. All most everything on Long Island is either endangered or threatened. do to over development ect.
20 yrs ago it was uncommon not to catch 50 flounders , or bluefish on a day's outing, not to mention catching garter snakes red efts, red ear slider, snapper, and box turtles, take your dog to a park or beach, Long island has become the land of no and so over developed..
I can't wait to get off someday...
20 yrs ago it was uncommon not to catch 50 flounders , or bluefish on a day's outing, not to mention catching garter snakes red efts, red ear slider, snapper, and box turtles, take your dog to a park or beach, Long island has become the land of no and so over developed..
I can't wait to get off someday...
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