keeping turtle hatchlings through their first winter can vastly improve their survival rate in the wild. It is true, though, that if you keep them into adulthood that they then are at a severe disadvantage. Lots of places and organizations have what are called "head start" programs for hatchling turtles of rare species. The idea is to take hundreds of hatchlings from the wild into captivity for the winter and on through spring and release them in the early summer. At that point in time they are quite adaptable and can switch over to the wild foods with relative ease. Yes, some won't make it, but the odds are better. If possible I would try to feed it food that is as close to its wild diet as possible to minimize the risk of cluelessness when it does go back to the wild. Aquatic insects, worms, bits of raw fish, etc. If it gets a little larger you might even try giving it things like small minnows or feeder fish from a pet store...



good luck!

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